Kim Kardashian’s tribute to Karl Lagerfeld at the Met Gala with 50,000 freshwaters pearls and Alicia Keys’ transformation of Cult Gaia’s pearl layered necklace into a street shooting standard are just two examples. Did you know that the pearls in jewelry boxes are reshaping fashion with the energy from nuclear fusion? This isn’t a retro comeback but a full scale invasion of pearls.
This ocean teardrop has been a favorite for centuries. From Marie Antoinette who woven pearls into her hair to Princess Diana, who defined “revenge aesthetics”, to Chanel, who turned pearl chains into rebellious everyday items, this material has outlasted the material itself. In 2023, the sales of pearl jewelry on the luxury market increased 34% year-onyear. The #PearlHacks TikTok topic has also exceeded 120 million views. Pearl baseball caps and functional jackets worn by Gen Z are no longer the legacy of grandma. They are a symbol for rebellion.
5 pearl dressing formulas to make Icons look you up
- Single-line minimalism
Chanel’s early spring 2025 series features a single pendant of pearls with a white shirt silhouette, proving the maxim “less is more”. Pairing it with high-waisted denim gives you the effortlessness of a French girl. - Layered Cyber Baroque
Jacquemus takes inspiration from Princess Diana’s collar to create a protective stacking device. When the light catches those scattered beads, the clavicle will look like the most expensive scenery. - Pearl denim is ambiguous in terms of gender.
Frame’s jacket with pearl trim breaks the stereotype that denim is hardcore. It’s a code for Y2K Boys to wear it with overalls, but a satin skirt paired with Mary Jane shoes is the ultimate in androgyny. - Flowing Galaxy on Bags
Why are Cult Gaia handbags with pearls sold for three times their original price on the second-hand market. The pearls will reflect 1,000 halo’s with your steps when you walk down Fifth Avenue. This is magic that static photographs cannot capture. - Deconstructionist Pearl Shoes
Shani Shemer inserted pearls into transparent sandals’ heels, giving them a look and feel of broken diamonds. This “looming luxury”, which will be the new favorite of the red carpet when nude colors dominate in 2025, will become the dominant color.
In an age where algorithms are the basis of aesthetics, the revival and use of pearls is the gentle counterattack to “fast fashion violent aesthetics”. Kim Kardashian’s body was covered in pearls to convey a desire to “be seen” – not for wealth but for the uniqueness of each individual. The luster of a pearl is not aggressive and can be seen in any light. Isn’t that the quality we most need in this fragmented era?
