GIRLS WITH PEARLS

We have been so into classics lately, and it doesn't get more classic than pearls. Some of fashion's most iconic images involve pearl accessories, like the elegant Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Her character Holly Golightly refused to wear diamonds, deeming them too old (although now, it's maybe considered the opposite). Then there is also the iconic Coco Chanel, a woman that preferred pearls to any other jewelry.

Far from old-fashioned, pearls are essentially timeless: a beautiful heirloom to pass from generation to generation. Stars today embrace them just as much as in the past, from edgy Rihanna to elegant Sarah Jessica Parker to hip Olivia Palermo and Anne Hathaway to classic Angelina Jolie. Pearls are 'in' for everyone.


Rihanna and Sarah Jessica Parker

Two extremely different women, two extremely different pearl necklaces. For Rihanna's look, try the layered look with Siman Tu's pearl choker (and if that's not enough, layer every single pearl necklace you own over it!). For elegant simplicity like Sarah Jessica Parker's, go with one strand only with David Aubrey's stunning necklace (it comes with a brooch too for extra POW!). Of course, one could never go wrong with adding a little pearl to our wrists too - we suggest Joomi Lim's pearl bracelet.


SIMAN TU Five Strand Pearl Choker with Coral and Pearl Flower (AED 3600)


DAVID AUBREY 32" Pearl Necklace with Vintage Crystal Brooch (AED 820)


JOOMI LIM Mini Bijoux Pearl Bracelet (AED 450)


Olivia Palermo, Anne Hathaway

These two young trendsetters both rock pearl earrings, but in very different ways. Olivia Palermo plays it up casual with her pearl studs, her hair down and minimal make-up. For Olivia's look, we suggest Kenneth Jay Lane pearl earrings with gold rim (it makes them a little more special). At last year's Oscars, Anne Hathaway worked it Old Hollywood style with a combination of pearls and diamonds. For a similar (but more affordable) effect, we look to glamorous earrings by Jacques Fath.


KENNETH JAY LANE Extra Large Pearl Cabochon Earrings, 1.5x1.5 inches (AED 360)


JACQUES FATH Bal à Versailles Pearl Earrings with Swarovski Crystals (AED 650)


JACQUES FATH Bal à Versailles Long Peal and Swarovski Crystal Earrings (AED 1800)


Angelina Jolie

And then there is Angelina Jolie, a woman that seems to adore pearls, seen wearing her Mikimoto earrings and ring on several occasions. We are all for pearl rings: they make such a great visual statement. We especially love them really chunky and preferably surrounded by Swarovski crystals like Jacques Fath's and Vita Fede's.


JACQUES FATH Bal à Versailles Large Pearl and Swarovski Crystals Ring (AED 960)


VITA FEDE Principe Ring with Pearl and Swarovski Crystals (AED 1600)

Loving pearls? We have many more! Visit www.shopstsophiescloset.com to view our complete selection.

SILVER SCREEN ICONS

These silver screen stars need no introduction. Half a century later, women, as well as designers, all over the world look to them for inspiration. As stunning as Sophia Loren, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn were, so were the jewels they wore. Often adorned in fine jewels by Cartier and Tiffany's, most Hollywood stars also wore a lot of costume jewelry (first made popular by Coco Chanel in 1940s) by some, at the time popular, designers that we carry at Sophie's Closet like Sherman, Hattie Carnegie and Dafri. Although we are not sure what these incredible stars are wearing in these photographs, we think they could be pretty close matches to some of our pieces.


Sophia Loren


Vintage Extra Large Gold with Rhinestone Bow Brooch (AED 590)

How incredible is this extra large vintage bow brooch? Take a note from Sophia Loren and decorate your little black dress with it. You know how much we love bows!


Ava Gardner


DAFRI Large Sparkling Vintage Brooch, Toronto 1950s (AED 900)

If only we could get a hold of Ava Gardner's two-tone jacket, then our look would be complete! Dafri's vintage brooch is almost a dead ringer! Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Dafri was a very popular jewelry line in 1950s, worn by Toronto and New York socialites.


Grace Kelly


CHRISTIAN DIOR Vintage Button Earrings, circa 1980s, (AED 800)

Like Grace Kelly, Dior is timeless. Although, these earrings date from 1980s, the are very similar in shape to the ones worn by Grace Kelly. Round button earrings are the epitome of sophistication and understated elegance.


Elizabeth Taylor


SHERMAN Vintage Chandelier Earrings, collector pieces (AED 1900)

Everyone knows of Elizabeth Taylor's love of jewelry: this woman owns the world's biggest diamond! Taylor was sultry and playful: the type of woman that prefers chandelier earrings. We have acquired beautiful sparkly Sherman earrings that we are sure Ms Taylor would love. Also hailing from Canada, Gustave Sherman was one of the first jewelry makers to use Swarovski crystals in lieu of diamonds, making glamorous jewels accessible to everyday women in 1950s and 1960s.


Audrey Hepburn


HATTIE CARNEGIE Pearl Rhinestone Earrings, Circa 1950s (AED 690, SOLD)

We saved the best for last: the legendary style icon, Audrey Hepburn. Seen here wearing bubbly circle clip-ons with a large stone set in an intricate frame. We have recently sold these Hattie Carnegie vintage earrings from 1950s that resemble Audrey's. Hattie Carnegie owned a successful shop in New York's Upper East Side. She was trained a milliner, but quickly found a knack for clothing and jewelry design. Her store was patroned by many Hollywood stars and even the "most elegant woman in the world" at the time, Duchess of Windsor.


Audrey Hepburn


Extra Large Vintage Pearl Centre Earrings, 2x2 inches (AED 350)

We have sold the Hattie Carnegie earrings but, thankfully, Audrey was a big fan of pearls. We have extra large pearl and gold earrings that would look great with one of Audrey's famous chignons.

Inspired? Visit www.shopatsophiescloset.com to view our complete vintage selection.

JEWEL TONES... from runways to Sophie's Closet...

F/W 10 RTW: Oscar de la Renta, Prabal Gurung, 3.1 Phillip Lim

We feel so inspired by Sophie's Closet feature in Harper's Bazaar, that we thought we'd expand on a similar theme. For every fall season, of course, deep jewel tones are prominently featured on runways due to, of course, the festive nature of the winter season. It's time to pull out all the deep sparkling gems from your accessory drawers: now is the right time to wear them. Deep ruby, green emerald and golden citrine tones are, perhaps, the most dramatic as witnessed on the runways at Oscar de la Renta, Prabal Gurung and Phillip Lim.


RUBY



Be the lady in red this winter with the most dramatic shade of ruby red. Look to Bounkit, David Aubrey and Kenneth Jay Lane to bring the drama to the next level. This is especially true with Bounkit's drop earrings with ruby, citrine and white pearl: it really has everything!


BOUNKIT Faceted Ruby, Citrine and white Pearl set with faceted Ruby Drop (AED 1800)


DAVID AUBREY Cherry Drops Necklace (AED 550, SOLD)


KENNETH JAY LANE Ruby Button Earrings (AED 340)


EMERALD



Is there a more beautiful colour in the world than emerald green? We don't think so, especially when paired with gold - these two colours were meant to be together. Though they aren't quite emeralds, but Bounkit's green onyx, Siman Tu's green aventurine and David Aubrey's green cabochon glass must be the next best thing because they are just as equally glamorous. Something tells us that Grace Kelly would approve!


BOUNKIT Cuff with faceted Green Onyx (AED 2200)


SIMAN TU Green Aventurine Chandelier Earring (AED 1700)


DAVID AUBREY Vintage Glass Cabochon Necklace (AED 490)


BOUNKIT Earrings with Faceted Green Onyx (AED 1100)


CITRINE



And, there is the beautiful golden yellow shade of citrine - a perfect shade for a festive night out, whether you are celebrating a night out with your girlfriends, on a romantic date or at a fabulous New Years' Eve party. Yellow gems by Bounkit and Jaques Fath are soft, yet dramatic, a subtle and feminine touch of glamour.


BOUNKIT Faceted Lemon Quartz top and Pear Shape Drop (AED 1670)


BOUNKIT Earrings with Faceted Smoky Topaz, Fluorite and Amethyst (AED 1450)


JACQUES FATH Chez MAXIM Jaune Ring (AED 830)


www.shopatsophiescloset.com

Sophie's Closet in HARPER's BAZAAR

Harper's Bazaar Arabia (September 2010)

Jewelry from Sophie's Closet is featured in the September issue of Harper's Bazaar Arabia with the gorgeous Cameron Diaz on the cover! They highlighted some of our favourite pieces like glamorous vintage Christian Dior jewels and earrings from the red carpet favourite, Bounkit. We couldn't be more ecstatic!

CHRISTIAN DIOR Vintage 1950s brooch and earrings, Signed Chr. Dior 1958 GERMANY (AED 5500 for the set)


CC SKYE Screw Bracelet (AED 420)




BOUNKIT Pearl Center with Citrine and Pearl (AED 1490)




BOUNKIT Earrings with Citrine and Green Onyx (AED 1560)




SHERMAN Extra Large Aurora Borealis Earrings, Circa 1950 (SOLD, AED 990)

www.shopatsophiescloset.com