Renaissance man: designers are seeing pearls in a whole new light
In recent saesons, menswear designers have favoured single earrings as their accessory of choice. At Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton opts for an ornate pearl-drop style, cupped in a leafy crystal pavé shell. It harks back to the metrosexual preferences of the Elizabethan era and Sir Walter Raleigh's favoured orb-like pearl, often seen dangling from his left ear in portraits.
Worn with a natural air of insouciance, pearls are a singular choice: Jimi Hendrix was prone to wearing long, beachy strings of them, while messy-haired model Henry Kitcher's signature pearl-drop earring is instantly recognisable during his catwalk turns for the likes of Berluti and Vivienne Westwood.
For a punkish look, we've paired Delfina Delettrez's freshwater droplet 'Seal' earring with a Tiffany stud on the helix. For a subtle take, opt for the sheeny hues of black or grey pearls, as in Dina Kamal's signet ring or HUM's drop earrings. Swap a simple chain for a string of pearls and strip back your styling with sleek monochrome tailoring. It's the contemporary take - raw and rebellious with a Renaissance touch.
As originally featured in the May 2018 issue of Precious Index
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Crispin at Studio Voltaire, in Clapham, is a feast for all the senses
New restaurant Crispin at Studio Voltaire is the latest opening from the brains behind Bistro Freddie and Bar Crispin, with interiors by Jermaine Gallagher
By Billie Brand Published
-
Vivienne Westwood’s personal wardrobe goes up for sale in landmark Christie’s auction
The proceeds of ’Vivienne Westwood: The Personal Collection’, running this June, will go to the charitable causes she championed during her lifetime
By Jack Moss Published
-
Montblanc’s leather goods evolution offers peak style
Montblanc takes design inspiration from its iconic writing archive for new collections of leather goods
By Simon Mills Published
-
Emerging jewellery designers to get to know
These independent, new and emerging jewellery designers and brands from New York to Paris are firmly on our radar
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Jewellery designers share their most precious personal pieces
A host of jewellers give us a peek at the jewellery which brings them joy and solace
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Rimowa and Tiffany & Co are the gleam team behind this luxurious luggage
A new partnership between Rimowa and Tiffany & Co encompasses a suitcase and a jewellery box
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Playing it cool: pearls are having a moment
We've been deep-diving into boutiques around the world to find the very best calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form. It seems jewellers have been busy rethinking pearls, with contemporary (and often affordable) results
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Eternity rings for the modern couple
Eternity rings, whether sleekly minimalist or sprinkled in diamonds, can be a chic and contemporary love token
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Alternative engagement rings with an edge
As the sales of engagement rings sky-rocket during lockdown, enjoy our off-kilter curation of edgy and unconventional engagement rings
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Hair jewellery to covet and collect
Today’s hair jewellery is both practical and pretty. We're pinning our hopes on these simple and elegant accessories
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Tiffany & Co opens redesigned New York store, The Landmark
Peter Marino and OMA New York, led by Shohei Shigematsu, are behind Tiffany & Co’s vast new Fifth Avenue flagship
By Hannah Silver Published