Pearls, as timeless as they are, are being revived. They were once synonymous with Sloane Rangers, twinsets and stars like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. The pearl jewellery trend that's on the rise this season is all about adding a modern twist.
The pearls, regularly used by Sarah Jessica Parker, Harry Styles and the Duchess of Cambridge, have captivated the glitterati with their versatility and punk glamour. Whether they're baroque or freshwater, they adorn your wrist or ear. You simply can't go wrong with the classic pearl.
Most recently, a particular choker with pearls has been making the rounds on social media. It was worn around the neck of so many famous influencers and celebrities that it got the name TikTok Necklace.
The design in question is Vivienne Westwood's Bas Relief Choker. It features three hand-strung rows of pearls and has Westwood's Orb logo with Swarovski crystals in the centre.
The original design debuted as a single-string in the late 1980s. It was part of Westwood's Harris Tweed collection for the 1987 runway. It was later upgraded to a triple chain for Westwood's 1990 Portrait collection. Today, the TikTok necklace is an A-list staple - Rihanna, Dua Lipa and Bella Hadid are just a few of its fans.
But why such a cult for this necklace? Perhaps it is the global appeal of the pearl. It has been revamped by names like Simone Rocha and a number of independent jewellery brands. Mikimoto, Éliou, Completedworks and Pacharee are making pearls more accessible to the world with their coveted, edgy designs.
Or perhaps their current rebirth is from a more unexpected source - namely Japanese anime. The manga Nana, which is the current trend and was adapted into anime series from 2006 to 2007, strongly promotes Westwood's Orb design.
Its author, Ai Yazawa, a former fashion student, was fascinated by the British designer's punk roots. So she sparked a Westwood jewelry craze with the show's cult audience. In the mid-2000s, Westwood even capitalized on this fanfare and collaborated with Nana on ads that appeared in the popular Japanese punk fashion magazine Kera.
Mixing tradition with a dash of punk, it's no surprise that the style has created a new wave of Gen-Z fans. Adding just the right amount of zhush to any outfit, the Vivienne Westwood TikTok necklace is an accessory that's sure to stand the test of time.
