The 2023 Awards season wrapped up on Sunday, with the Oscars, and left jewellery aficionados with many memorable red carpet jewellery looks. Set with diamonds and deeply hued coloured gemstones, this year the statement necklace reigned supreme. However, pearls carved a special place for themselves, turning heads with their luminous iridescence. Given the versatility of this gem, it is always a treat to see pearl jewellery on the red carpet. Here’s a look at some unforgettable pearly moments of the 2023 Award season.
Sustainable Jewellery – Repurposed Pearls on the Red Carpet
Cate Blanchett looked stunning in her Tahitian pearl and tourmaline Louis Vuitton high jewellery necklace at the BAFTA Awards in London, all the while making a statement about the importance of sustainability in the world of haute Joaillerie and Haute Couture. In preparation for the BAFTAs, Blanchett discussed the idea of sustainably crafted necklace with Francesca Amfitheatrof, Artistic Director of Jewellery and Watches at Louis Vuitton. Amfitheatrof took this concept and designed a masterpiece- a necklace that features 188 Tahitian pearls and a 23.78 carat blue-green Nigerian step-cut tourmaline, both gems repurposed from an earlier Louis Vuitton high jewellery collection.
Amfitheatrof, who loves pearls, wanted to create a special necklace for Blanchett with repurposed gems and gold as a “way to pay homage to the enduring nature of the world’s most precious materials by their reuse and continual adaptation.” Blanchett wore the necklace with the tourmaline off to the side, resting on her shoulder instead of centering on her neckline. She matched the necklace with a pair of dark grey Tahitian pearl stud earrings to complete her BAFTA’s look.
A few weeks later, Blanchett wore the same pearl and tourmaline Louis Vuitton necklace at the Time Women of the Year Gala, in Los Angeles. This time round, she wore it with the tourmaline resting at the centre of her neckline. By once again wearing a necklace crafted with repurposed gems, within the same Awards season, Blanchett clearly underscored her position on sustainability through her jewellery choice.
Baroque Pearls at the BAFTAs
It is not often that baroque pearls are seen on Award red carpets. This year, Emma Thompson, shone a light on the beauty of these special pearls by wearing a matching suite of baroque pearl necklace, earrings and ring by London-based jewellery designer Melanie Georgacopoulos, on the BAFTA’s red carpet. From Georgacopoulos’ Baroque collection, the minimalist design of these pieces brought into focus the inimitable charm of baroque pearls, with their shimmering white colour, organic shapes and sharp lustre.
MIKIMOTO at the Oscars
MIKIMOTO had a glittering moment at Sunday’s Academy Awards. Most notably, Best Supporting Actress Nominee, Hong Chau paired her custom pink and black Prada gown with a set of MIKIMOTO jewels. These included a pair of MIKIMOTO white South Sea pearl and diamond earrings and an Akoya pearl and diamond cocktail ring from their Splash collection.
Sofia Carson was another celebrity who chose MIKIMOTO jewellery at the Oscars. For her performance of ‘Applause,’ the Oscar nominated song from the movie “Tell it Like a Woman,” Sofia wore a triple strand Akoya pearl and diamond necklace from the brand’s Jardin Mystérieux collection.
Nicole Kidman wore MIKIMOTO to the Chanel pre-Oscar party where she styled a triple strand white Akoya pearl and diamond sautoir necklace with a pair of Jeux de Rubans white South Sea pearl and diamond earrings.
Haute Couture and Pearls – A Red Carpet Special
Also worth mentioning are two exceptional dresses, with pearl accents, that were seen during the 2023 Awards season. Lily James’ floor length creamy white Tamara Ralph gown embellished with a striking white pearl and crystal caged feature at the neckline, turned many heads at the BAFTAs. Similarly, Haley Lu Richardson’s black sequin Carolina Herrera gown, adorned with white pearls and a matching pearl-covered mini handbag, also by Carolina Herrera, was a standout look at the SAG Awards.
Pearl jewellery on the red carpet is always an elegant choice. Luminous and full of grace, it always makes the wearer stand out!
Featured Image: A closeup of the Louis Vuitton necklace worn by Cate Blanchett at the BAFTAs
