An era of excess
Diamond-studded chokers, technicolour rubies and shimmering headpieces – more was certainly more according to Marie Antoinette during her reign. It should come as no surprise then that she boasted the most bountiful jewellery collection of any French queen. Not only was she pictured practically dripping in jewels in every portrait ever painted before the royal family was eventually locked away, her love affair with opulent trinkets even led to her being famously accused of defrauding crown jewellers over a certain diamond necklace.
Revolutionising elegance
If any style legacy has stood the test of time, it’s Gabrielle Coco Chanel’s. Rewriting the rules of elegance after the first world war meant eschewing the typical frilly, fussy styles in favour of simplicity and sophistication. Her reasoning was refreshingly simple: if women could buy jewellery that was more affordable than real gemstones, they could accessorise every outfit in their wardrobe. Case in point: signature faux pearls, circular plated earrings and diamond broaches to punctuate her chic, monochromatic looks.
