The pearl has found its way onto the world's catwalks. Whether as a jeweled accessory or as an integral part of the outfit, both white pearls from the South Seas and their darker cousins from Tahiti have featured prominently in the Couture collections of many well-known fashion designers. Australian couturière Collette Dinnigan in her Fall/Winter 2003 collection displayed an ultra-modern and refreshing jewelry collection designed for the occasion by Australian-based Autore South Sea Pearls. A rising star in British fashion, the New Generation designer Warren Noronha incorporated an organic element into his clothes in the form of the dark and mysterious pearls from Tahiti. Polish-born, London-based Arkadius, teamed up with celebrity jeweler Stephen Webster in a collaboration of pearls and ultra- tailored clothing. Webster created a collection of Tahitian pearl and leather jewelry called `Orchid' which complements Arkadius' street-savvy Couture look. “The luster and perfect >> form of the Tahitian pearl have inspired the deeply feminine theme of my Fall 2003 collection,” explains Arkadius. Another couturier who used single and multi-strands of Tahiti cultured pearls is Indian-born Anand Jon, who wove the jewels into certain pieces of his collection, creating a synergy between the pearls and the clothes. American designer Mark Montano also liberally dosed his Fall 2003 creations with these dark jewels, as did Sophia Kokosalaki. “I personally think that the Tahitian pearls added an element of youth, vitality and fun to my collection,” says Montano. “I loved the oversized studs and chokers and found that the big, beautiful, lustrous spheres were an indispensable element to the overall look of my theme.” Even pop stars are sporting pearls, as seen with the recent appearance of Kym Marsh wearing a Mikimoto Tahiti Cultured Pearl pendant to promote her new record `Cry'. The power of pearls!




Source: Couture International Jeweler
June - July 2003 issue


(please credit europastar.com)Source: Couture International Jeweler
June - July 2003 issue