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Iconic women in pearls

With International Women’s Day coming up on the 8th March we thought we’d take a look at some of the most iconic women of all time and the strong relationship they have with their pearls. 

We salute these women and the pearls they wear – they are inspiring not only because of their determination and vision, but also because of their wonderful sense of style. The future is female and we’re so grateful for the strong women that have paved the way for us. 

MEDIA QUEENS

Katharine Graham was the second female publisher of a major American newspaper, the Washington Post. Graham was an innovator who refused the advice of the men in power around her and rejected their ‘mansplaining’. She was very rarely seen without her pearls and was one powerful woman that changed American history for good. 

Another powerful woman who is at the forefront of the media is broadcast producer Oprah Winfrey. Her productions have captured the hearts of people all around the world, with oscar-nominated films like The Colour Purple and her famous Oprah Winfrey Show. 

Winfrey is an inspiration to women everywhere and is one of the wealthiest women in the world who is passionate about giving back to a wide variety of charitable causes – she loves her pearls and shows they are the precious gem for ‘women that do it all’.

Both Graham and Winfrey are at the very front of the power pearls trend and any woman who loves pearls can thank them for creating that elegant pairing of power and pearl.

MUSICAL DIVAS

Aretha Franklin commanded R-E-S-P-E-C-T with Long Pearl Necklaces that plunged into a low cut neckline and they moved with every breath as she hit her notes. Here at The Real Pearl co we will always sing her praises and thank her for her unforgettable style.

Global superstar Rihanna has followed suit by bringing pearls back to the centre stage where they deserve to be, alongside her music. She is famous for choosing to wear multiple strands of pearls with a wide variety of outfits. Her famous pearls she wore to a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show really got everyone talking. 

Where the incredible Adele leads we all tend to follow, and we have seen some very elegant recent looks from this world-class artist, beautifully complemented by pearls. Her Extra Large Baroque Earrings paired with a classy off the shoulder dress had everyone in awe.

Rita Ora can often be seen wearing pearls – the highly acclaimed British singer loves nothing more than to wear different pieces of pearl jewellery, from earrings to necklaces and bracelets. She also chooses to style them in her hair and regularly wears a pair of pearl studded jeans when being photographed.

STARS OF STAGE AND SCREEN

Audrey Hepburn inspired many women to make bold fashion choices, and continues to be viewed by many as one of the best dressed women of all time. Her classic look continues to influence modern day style, and pearls played a huge part of this.

Actor Sarah Jessica Parker is most widely known for her role as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex & The City, and the recent reboot And Just Like That. Carrie and her friends taught us all to speak more openly about embracing our power and sexuality in a modern world. Her iconic style on and off set regularly included looks that were inspired by Coco Chanel’s “ropes and ropes of pearls”.

Maybe it was being the star of the 2003 film ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ that made Scarlett Johansson fall in love with pearls, but she’s often photographed wearing pearls on the red carpet. As well as wearing pearl earrings and necklaces she is a fan of clothing with lustrous pearls, and the exquisite pearl skirt she wore for a photo shoot for Russian Vogue magazine was iconic.

Angelina Jolie is a successful actor and humanitarian leader who uses her media status to make a difference. As a public figure she has been noticed as one of the most powerful and influential people in the American entertainment industry and she is often seen wearing pearls for public appearances, which certainly help to elevate her status thanks to their associations with powerful women from the past.

LADIES OF POWER

“I favour pearls on-screen AND in my private life.” – Grace Kelly, Princess Grace of Monaco. We’ve seen many female leaders and heads of state around the world attend conferences and events in outfits complimented by the grace and dignity of pearls. First ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Jackie Kennedy Onassis all wore their favourite pearls on multiple occasions. 

Former prime minister Magaret Thatcher was rarely seen without her trademark string of pearls and Theresa May wore giant pearls as one of her go to jewellery pieces to do battle on Brexit and cabinet culls. 

Powerful women of royalty have always captured attention worldwide, American-born Grace Kelly, who later became Princess Grace of Monaco, always delighted the public with her love affair with pearls. 

The late Princess Diana, the “People’s Princess” famously adored her pearls and in more recent days HRH Catherine the Duchess of Sussex has inspired a whole new generation in the wearing of pearls. She famously pairs royal jewels from Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana in modern and stylish ways. Between the Duchess of Sussex and the new Netflix series The Crown, young women are now very loyal to their royal luminous pearls. 

ICONIC WOMEN IN HISTORY 

Hypatia of Alexandria was born around 350AD, a Greek Neoplatonist philosopher, astronomer and mathematician. She inspired our Pearl, Jade, Garnet and Brass Bead Set, these were created in an entirely Greek style.

Rosalba Carriera the extraordinary 18th century Venetian portrait painter was one of the small number of women to make a highly successful international career as an artist in the 18th century. She inspired us to create our White Pearl and Aqua Crystal Set in her beloved white and aqua colours with 5-6mm white pearls and aqua coloured crystals. 

Lady Agnes Douglas was born at Lochleven Castle in Scotland in 1574 and she and her sisters were so famed for their beauty that they were often called the “Pearls of Lochleven”. Her famous portrait is a treasure trove of information on 16th century jewellery as the super trendy Countess is depicted wearing massive quantities of pearl, gold, and diamond jewellery. She was the inspiration for our striking Black and White Pearl Drop Earrings on gold plated 925 silver lever backs. Bring back the past and wear these historic pieces with pride!

FASHIONISTAS

“A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls.” – Coco Chanel

Given the popularity of pearls on the runway, we have to pay tribute to the leading ladies of fashion who have always celebrated the perfection of pearls. Coco Chanel virtually single-handedly created the first pearl revolution in fashion during the 20’s. She liberated women with her chic style and the brand is now at the forefront of todays ‘cool girl pearl trend’. 

You can also see classic-chic trendy designer Carolina Herrera loving her pearls, high on the lobe or high on the collarbone she loves playing around with these precious gems.

We should certainly thank our female fashion gurus for expressing the female form with such individuality and keeping pearls current through-out time. So as International Women’s Day approaches, we’re raising a glass to all these incredible women, with gratitude for all they have achieved, including the power they brought to the pearl. From their inspiration and boldness we have the opportunity to replicate such wonderfully classic and individual looks with our own pearl jewellery.