Picturesque Pearls: A Style Guide

By Paige McKirahan

 

With wedding season well on its way, we wanted to take a look at one of our favorite elegant motifs in accessories for these upcoming warm weather months. Since pearls first made their way into the realm of jewelry, they have been the true symbol of class and superiority; seeing has how the pearl is the world's oldest gemstone with traces back to 420 BC, this elitist undertone has deep historical roots. In the Byzantine empire, for example, it was dictated that only the emperor was permitted to wear pearls with other societies having similar laws. Until the 20th century, pearls were considered to be one of the most valuable gems on the market all over the globe; prior to this time, all pearls were naturally found in wild mollusks, making them more rare and coveted than ever.

 

Oldest pearl necklace in existence on display at the Louvre (source)

 

In ancient Greek culture and at the height of the Roman Empire, pearls were worn on gowns, necklaces, and were even used to decorate furniture in wealthy households. It was even said that Cleopatra preferred pearl jewelry above all others, and she went as far as dissolving one of her most priceless pairs of pearl earrings in a glass of wine before drinking it! This ancient popularity led to pearls being extremely favorable with the monarchy; pearls of all shape and color varieties were widely sought after, and many were coming directly from the Persian Gulf. The 16th century in England was even referred to as the Pearl Age, perfectly reflecting the gemstone's prestige at the time.

 

Cleopatra Dissolving the Pearl in Wine, Andrea Casali (source)

 

In the Victorian Age, seed pearls became more favorable than any of their counterparts on account of the fact that their small size made them perfect for jewelry and other accessories. They are typically no larger than 2mm in diameter, and they were widely associated with pure ideals. Royal love of pearls continued for generations, with Queen Victoria having an affinity for all things pearl. Prince Albert gifted her a pair of drop-style pearl earrings in 1847, and these are now owned and proudly worn by the reigning monarch, Elizabeth II.

It wasn't until the late 1800s that pearls became a widely accessible material; in 1893, Kokicho Mikimoto discovered how to create cultured pearls, prompting the creation of over 350 pearl farms across Japan by 1935. This caused a widespread pearl mania that perfectly complemented contemporary culture all throughout the 1900s. From Coco Chanel's iconic 1936 portrait to Audrey Hepburn's emblematic look in Breakfast at Tiffany's, pearls became a true symbol of luxury. This sophisticated aesthetic shifted with Alber Elbaz at the helm of Lanvin, where he reimagined the gemstones as a "cool girl" motif rather than something you would find in your grandmother's jewelry box. He truly spun their reputation into something journalists felt were "not like your mother's pearls", and the gemstone has been present in haute couture ever since.

 

Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn in pearls (source)

 

Now that we know the history behind the eponymous stone, its time to evaluate the types of pearls. They can now be produced in a variety of different ways, with each having its own special set of characteristics! Whether they are natural or cultured, they are formed when a mollusk produces layers of nacre around molecules inside of the shell. The quality of the nacre is what controls the level of the pearls shine, which can cause it to decrease or increase in value. High-quality pearls should be smooth and blemish free, with shapes ranging from round to misshapen. Misshapen pearls are considered to be baroque, after the art movement. Lastly, a pearl set in necklaces can be uniform with all pearls at the same size, or graduated, meaning they change uniformly from the end to the center. With this education in mind, let's take a look at the specific types of pearls on the market!

 

(source)

Natural Pearls

Natural pearls are the rarest type, with many historically being found in the Persian Gulf. Though many have already been harvested, you may be able to purchase these small gemstones, but they will cost you a pretty penny!

Cultured Pearls

Cultured pearls are grown in farms, with the mollusks containing them being raised until they reach the point of being able to accept the mother-of-pearl bead nucleus. The pearl technician then implants the bead and returns the mollusk to water to form the gem. Not all cultured pearls are of high quality, and it can take tens of thousands of pearls to compile a group similar enough to use in jewelry.

Saltwater Pearls

Many countries grow cultured pearls in their saltwater seas. Japan and China produce cultured pearls that can range from 2 mm to 10mm in size, and are usually white in color. Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines produce the largest of all cultured pearls. They are considered the "South Sea pearl" and can get up to 20 mm with colors ranging from white to cream to gold. There are also saltwater pearls grown in the islands of French Polynesia, with their sizes ranging from 8mm to 16mm. They can be naturally black, but they typically can be gray, blue, green, or purple.

Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls mostly hail from China and are grown in lakes, rivers, and ponds all over the continent. Many are white and similar in size to Akoya pearls in size and shape, and usually, have a thicker nacre on account of them not having a bead nucleus.

Imitation Pearls

Imitation pearls usually have a high luster and are coated glass beads. You can tell these apart from cultured or natural pearls, but it may prove to be difficult based upon how the pearls were treated. For tips on how to analyze your pearls, click here!

We hope that this gave you a better insight into all things pearls! We now have a little bit of pearl mania and if you do too, be sure to check out our selection of pearl accessories!

 

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Festival Style: Coachella Essentials

By Paige McKirahan

 

As temperatures heat up and summer music begins to flood our all of our Spotify feeds, many have the season’s upcoming festivals on the mind. From Governor’s Ball to Lollapalooza, the warm weather also brings festival style that is wild, bohemian, and full of fashion forward aesthetics. In honor of Coachella, one of the most iconic annual festivals that the United States has to offer, we wanted to check out some of the best festival accessories that the industry has to offer! This musical event’s two weekends of fun make for many Instagrammable moments, so read on to see how we here at TalkingFashion would accessorize our festival fits to stand out in a sea of flower crowns!

Cool Sunglasses 

Stylish sunnies top our list as one of the most necessary festival accessories for reasons we feel are quite obvious. Protecting your eyes from the sun and accessorizing your festival fit to perfection can be done in one foul swoop using a great pair of cool girl frames. Never miss a moment of the fun blinded by the sun! 

Hands-Free Bags

Keeping track of all of your items in a large crowd of people may seem like a daunting task, but with the help of a hands-free bag, all of your stuff will be safe and secure! Carrying around a cross body bag is another great alternative, but with a fanny pack secured tightly around you waist, you’ll never have to worry about losing the bag itself along with all of its contents!

Western Motifs 

Western-inspired looks are extremely common at summer festival events, so why not participate in one of the season’s hottest trends and add a little western flair of your own into your festival fashion fits? Large belt buckles, cowboy hats, fringe, and turquoise are all easy ways to incorporate this cowboy aesthetic into any outfit without looking like you came right from an episode of West World!

Scarves, Scarves, and More Scarves

We have seen a huge headscarf revival this spring season, and we think that scarves are a great way to take any outfit to the next level in one easy step! Whether you choose to tie one around your neck or use one a way to keep your hair from flying in the Valley winds, a scarf is sure to be one of the “it” festival accessories for summer 2019.

Long Necklaces

When it comes to what jewelry compliments bohemian festival style the most, I always look for long, stackable necklaces to bring the heat! This style can make you look as if you an accessories aficionado without much effort and can offer a pop of color to a light, flowy fit.

What is your favorite festival accessory? If you love any of the ones above, click on the photo to buy just in time for festival season to go into full swing! Happy fest fun, TalkingFashion readers! Remember to wear what you love, everyday (and wear you best to Coachella Valley this weekend!)

Festival Fashionistas: Who to Follow 

By Paige McKirahan

 

If you are like the thousands of other music lovers gearing up for a summer full of festival fun, you may be left in a panic wondering how you are going to come up with enough fashion-forward festival fits to last the whole season! Fear not, fashionistas; we here at TalkingFashion are here to tell you whos who in festival fashion offering great aesthetic inspiration. From Vanessa Hudgens to Gigi Hadid, many Coachella Valley patrons cut no corners when it comes to creating the perfect bohemian look fit for the runway, so read on to see who else is using the festival grounds as their own personal Insta-set to showcase their best Coachella-approved looks!

 

Elle Ferguson

As a festival regular, this fashionista knows the whos and whats of creating the season's most Instagrammable looks! We love her western inspired bag and her bangles create the perfect pop of color in her otherwise minimalist outfit!

Tezza

This NYC based best selling authors trades her pen for cowboy boots to saddle up for festival season. We are OBSESSED with this kitschy dress and love her use of layered necklaces to complement the look!

Camila Coelho

This member of Forbes 30 under 30 list spares no expense when it comes to creating the perfect festival fit. She is right on trend with her use of the uber popular hair accessory and love the pop of pink with her cool sunglasses that immediately caught our eyes!

Aggie Lal

As the human embodiment of cool girl style, Aggie Lal lets her LA roots shine through with her festival style. Look to her Instagram if you have an affinity for California chic aesthetics with a hint of grunge and good vibes!

Emma Rose

This West-coast girl's effortless style climbs to new heights during festival season, with her squad of chicly dress pals being one of her most stylish accessories. Whether she's sporting a cow print bikini with leather chaps or a bohemian mini dress, she knows how to work the weather and use Coachella Valley as her own personal runway!

If these Instagram fashionistas have you inspired and ready for some festival fun, check out our latest blog post detailing how we can help you gear up for all of your favorite music events this summer! If you haven't followed any of these fabulous fashionistas already, head to Instagram now for even more of their amazing looks! For more festival fashionista's check out this article from Husskie!

Sources:

The 50 best blogger fashion looks from Coachella. (2018, April 17). Retrieved from https://www.husskie.com/the-50-best-influencer-and-blogger-fashion-looks-from-coachella/

The Irish Fashion Round Up

By Paige McKirahan

 

Are you feeling lucky this week, Talkingfashion travelers? We know we are as we are heading fast toward Ireland just in time for Saint Patrick’s Day this week on March 17^th. If this holiday has you feeling ready for some fresh spring fashion inspiration, these influencers are like the pot of gold at the end of your colorful couture rainbow. Though Ireland is not the home of any fun fashion week activities, it still boasts a bustling industry scene with a plethora of emerging talent coming out in high-profile cities like Dublin. Irish fashionistas understand that visibility is important in leveling up their country’s industry scene, so read on to see some our favorite influencers on the scene right now who are the perfect illustration of the country’s Irish charm!

 

 Pippa O’Connor

 

 

 

This model is one of the most popular influencers in Ireland’s online blogging landscape, with thousands visiting her website for fashion advice daily. Her popularity has only elevated her stance in the industry and has allowed her create her own online denim shop, POCO!

 

 Nuala Gorham

 

 

 

As a Vogue favorite, this blogger’s honest take on fashion, fitness, beauty, and travel has made her an Irish influencer aficionado. Her adventurous lifestyle and willingness to tag all of her best outfits on LiketoKnowit truly have made her brand into a must-follow!

 

Suzanne Jackson-O'Connor

 

 

 

This blogger-turned-businesswoman is the founder of multiple award winning brands, including her chic lifestyle blog, Sosueme. Suzanne has used her blogger platform to turn her brand into a business, andcreated the highly regarded Irish beauty brand, SOSUbySJ.

 

Joanne Larby

 

 

 

With her affinity for beauty and a great sense of style, this blogger and brand owner is making big waves in the Irish fashion landscape. Her lifestyle brand, The Makeup Fairy, is an industry favorite that stemmed from a small blog and has now grown into an online magazine with an accompanying YouTube profile with aesthetics to die for. 

 

Louise Cooney

 

 

 

This award-winning jetsetter is dominating the fashion industry with her chic takes on life, travel, fashion, and industry inspiration. She has been nominated as the Most Stylish Online Influencer and Best Influencer in the Gossies, which shows that fashionistas all over the globe can’t get enough of her “it” girl aesthetic!

If these influencers are already under your Instagram “Following” list, check out this list of 60 Irish bloggers that are sure to vamp up your timeline!

As you can see, many of Ireland's most prominent fashion brands are managed by high-profile bloggers; check out our favorite Irish jewelry finds and see if they were created by anyone you know!

 

Isle Jewellery

 

 

 

If you’re looking for a jewelry brand that makes you feel as well traveled as the bloggers above, look no further than Isle. This Irish-meets- Japanese aesthetic was created by two sisters on opposite sides of the world, taking motifs from both of their cities and combining them to create beautiful, minimalist jewelry pieces.

 

Rachel Swan

 

 

 

This Dublin-based brand boasts a multitude of simple, modern designs taking cues from the Art Deco movement. Rachel Swan, the name behind these fabulous jewels, puts an architectural finish on every piece, giving them a modern twist perfect for a chic night out.

 

Maria Dorai Raj

 

 

 

The designer behind brand her namesake brand creates contemporary designs with hints of Irish-Indian glam. The piece’s impeccable craftsmanship and modern aesthetics have made Raj’s designs some of the most sought after in the country.

 

Cosmic Boulevard

 

 

 

This dainty, festive jewelry brand was created by one of Ireland’s most eccentric makeup artists. After working in cosmetics for over ten years, Sinhead Murphy decided to take her talents to the jewelry industry; we love all of her out-of-this-world designs and her fresh take on cosmic motifs!

Since our favorite month of fashion has finally concluded, we are now looking for a new celebration! Check out these Irish fashion finds to gear up for Saint Patrick’s Day fun, and freshen up your timeline for spring by retracing our steps on our fashion journey around the globe!

 

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Paris Fashion Week F/W ’19 Accessory Trend Spotlight

By Paige McKirahan 

 

Some tend to say that the best is saved for last, and this fashion month this statement may have held true when Paris Fashion Week closed our couture-filled thirty days of fun. PFW, which ran from February 25 and March 5^th, is one of the longest running international fashion weeks that is commonly crowed the chicest of the bunch. As the original fashion capital of the world, the expectations in Paris were high but fortunately, the couture was higher. Gucci, Burberry, and Chanel are just a few of the high-profile names that stunned crowds as Karl Lagerfeld’s heavenly final designs made their way down the runway draping his various muses including Cara Delevingne and Penelope Cruz.

 

Final walk, Chanel F/W 2019 (source)

As we have come to realize this fashion month, high-profile headwear is at the helm of fall’s trendiest accessories in London, Milan, New York, and now Paris. Loewe nodded to classic constructions when they created their helmet style headwear featuring fin-like protrusions both above the ears and on the top of the design. Dior took note of Tom Ford’s NYFW bucket hat revival, spinning the desire to feature animal print complete with netting around the bill. We saw structured hats add inches to feet in height from Chanel, Ann Demeulemeester, and Nina Ricci that stunned with their glamorous color palettes. We also saw a boom in the hair accessory world with barrettes and headbands once again taking reign; Balmain hit the nail on the head with their chain link headband made complete a chic aesthetic to die for.

From top: Loewe, Nina Ricci, and Balmain (source)

Eyewear took on classic silhouettes with large lenses officially taking the frame-style crown back from last season’s tiny specks. Stella McCartney and Loewe’s designs had an intergalactic flair, while Celine and Chloe exhibited their love for vintage trends with their ‘70s inspired looks.

 

From top: Loewe and Chloe (source)

The jewelry displayed in Paris may be the most visually enthralling of all work throughout fashion month; their various structures and use of art styles directly in their designs stole the spotlight when they stepped onto the runway. We saw Isabel Marant take their shot at the single earring trend, creating a silver cuff with a whimsical aesthetic. Givenchy took the classic dangling earring style and implemented it into their ring designs, with tassels falling from a ring-bracelet hybrid. PFW gave us great stacking looks with everything from earrings to bangles as labels like Alexander McQueen loaded up their models with accessories that proved too much may never be enough. Lastly, the Y/Project may have had the most startling jewelry designs of all collections; with metal spirals to Greek-like sculptures incorporated into their work, they established their designs as artwork in their own right.

 

From top: Givenchy, Isabel Marant, and Y/Project (source)

Statement bags and belts also dominated the runway this fashion month, especially in this industry capital. In terms of silhouettes, it seems that thick, waist belts will be the “it” style this coming fall; both Chloe and Isabel Marant took this oversized look and combined it with last season western appeal to create beautiful, contemporary pieces perfect for cold weather looks. Off-White got in on the Parisian belt action with their classic clean-line design finished off with text saying “Off-White ‘LOGO’” replacing the traditional buckle. Givenchy combined the idea of the “it” belt and bag into a simple, utilitarian design perfect for those fashionistas on the go.

 

From top: Chloe, Off-White, and Givenchy (source)

As we have now seen on runways around the globe, the idea of what is "in" when it comes to handbags is shifting. This runway season, the ornamental styles of SS ’19 are out, and small-scale silhouettes are in.  From casual totes to wallet style designs, all collections had something stunning to offer. Rochas and Altuzarra created cinched bucket bags that are sure to be on everyone's must-have list. Givenchy and Stella McCartney took on an iPhone sized contemporary approach, while other brands like Chanel reinvented the fanny pack. One of the most talked about bags of the week, though, could barely hold your pocket change; these micro bags from Jacquemus have been making headlines from the moment they made their way into Paris!

From top: Givenchy, Chanel, and Jacquemas  (source)

With this, we now conclude the coverage of our favorite month in fashion! Which week was your favorite? We loved the looks in London and Paris! Check out our coverage of New York, London, and Milan and be sure to stay tuned for more fun fashion finds for this upcoming spring season!

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