Costumes and jewellery are essential to creating and enhancing the elements of a movie. If that movie becomes famous, then the style of the characters goes on to greatly influence fashion in reality. Here are seven of the most famous pieces of jewellery that have made the biggest impact on fashion trends throughout the years.
1. Rose’s Heart of the Ocean Pendant – Titanic
Kate Winslet’s character in the film is gifted a sapphire pendant by her fiancé. She’s told that it belonged to King Louis XVI, who shaped the necklace into a heart after the French Revolution. Although the real necklace was not actually made of blue diamond, it was inspired by the Hope Diamond, which has an estimated value of $250 million. Because of Titanic’s blockbuster status, the pendant’s creator was commissioned to create a real Heart of the Ocean, which has a value of $4 million.
2. Vivian’s ruby and diamond necklace – Pretty Woman
Vivian’s ruby and diamond necklace made Julia Roberts one of Hollywood’s most memorable icons, particularly when combined with her fiery red hair and beautiful opera gown. Here’s a little trivia – the scene in which Vivian reaches stunned towards the extravagant necklace and has Richard Gere’s character snap shut the jewellery box was actually a prank played on Julia Roberts. Her reaction was so realistically adorable that the director included it in the real film. The ruby and diamond necklace is estimated at $1.35 million, with 23 pear-cut rubies surrounded by diamond hearts.
3. Satine’s diamond brocade necklace – Moulin Rouge
This necklace reflects the romantic and decadent themes of 19th century Paris, and was inspired by the style of Louis XVI with openwork lace patterns and scrolls. In the film, the necklace is a gift from the possessive and rich Duke Monroth to the beautiful courtesan Satine, and symbolises giving up on true love. Totalling 134 karats with 1,308 diamonds, it was at the time the most expensive piece of jewellery ever created for a movie. Its value is estimated today at $1 million.
4. Holly Golightly’s pearl and diamond necklace – Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Arguably the most famous on this list is Audrey Hepburn’s multi-strand pearl and diamond brooch necklace. Paired with her Givenchy haute couture little black dress, arm-length gloves and cigarette holder, this archetypal outfit has been inspiring designers since its debut in 1961.
5. Anne Boleyn’s “B” initial necklace – The Other Boleyn Girl
This pearl necklace is a true to form replica of Anne Boleyn’s “B” necklace, which can be seen around her neck in quite a few of her portraits. The necklace is made up of a string of rondelle pearls, from which hangs the large gold “B” initial and its three dangling teardrop pearls. It is estimated that the “B” was crafted in the 1520s, which would make it around 500 years old today.
6. Scarlett O’Hara’s cameo brooch – Gone with the Wind
Although not technically a necklace, this brooch belongs on every list about famous jewellery. The oversized cameo brooch is set in gold and depicts a figure riding a bird, which was actually quite an uncommon design for cameo brooches of that time period. It was also made much more dazzling when counterbalanced with Scarlett’s jet black velvet mourning dress. That scene was responsible for skyrocketing Vivien Leigh to fashion icon status.
Trivia – the brooch actually belonged to the mother of the movie’s costume designer.
7. Andie’s yellow pendant diamond necklace – How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
This necklace is now the most expensive piece of jewellery ever created for a movie, valued at over $5 million. The 84-karat Isadora necklace was created especially for Kate Hudson’s character by famous jeweler Harry Winston, and the necklace was so glamorous that the movie’s costume department created the famous yellow gala dress just to complement it.
If you haven’t seen one of these movies, do yourself a favour and add them to your list of must-sees. Then, the next time you’re reading up on the latest fashion trends, see if you can spot any inspirations borrowed from the above iconic pieces.
by Australian Diamond Brokers : February 3rd 2015 Come visit our store or browse our website to find out more.