When diamonds meet denim
From jumbo-sized classics to diamond-set chains, go big or go home with these statement jewels
Elizabeth Taylor loved wearing her jewels in the swimming pool. You can see why. Once you get over your anxiety about them falling off, or being scratched or damaged by the water and chlorine, the look is pretty fabulous. Mixing a serious suite of rubies or a stonking emerald with a swimsuit and slicked-back wet hair gives that dream high-low look that calls to mind Princess Margaret wearing her tiara in the bath (google it) or Sharon Stone tucking an oversized white Gap shirt into a Vera Wang skirt for the Oscars. Until Tiffany’s in-house designer Elsa Peretti reversed convention with her Diamonds by the Yard collection, women were conditioned to lock away their statement jewellery to save it for special occasions. Then suddenly diamonds became daywear, something that could be worn with ordinary clothes – even denim. In fact, this utilitarian fabric somehow brings out the best in serious jewellery. There’s a sort of insouciance to it and a stylish disregard for the expected. And how good does the rough texture of the indigo material look against a glinting yellow gold, or the white, crisp sparkle of diamonds? So get out your denim and crack open the safe. This look has never been hotter.
Serpent Bohème cuff in yellow gold and diamonds, £87,000, Boucheron. Jacket, £1,590, and jeans, £780, Alexander McQueen
Chaine d’ancre Danae necklace in yellow gold, £100,000, Hermès. Shirt dress, £650, Stella McCartney. Trousers, £855, Etro
Juste un Clou large cuff in rose gold, £38,100, Cartier. Denim scarf, POA, Maison Alaïa
Bangle in yellow gold, £25,000, Jessica McCormack. Jeans, £890, Celine by Hedi Slimane
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Florentine ring in yellow gold, emerald, diamonds and enamel, £400,000, Boodles. Bangle in rose gold and diamonds, £26,675, Pragnell. Shirt dress, £650, Stella McCartney
Franges necklace in white gold and diamonds, POA, Chanel High Jewellery. Ring in white gold, sapphire and diamonds, POA, Graff. Shirt, £365, Bally
Rose Dior ring in yellow gold, diamonds, emeralds, tsavorite garnets and green lacquer, POA, Dior Joaillerie. Talisman cocktail ring in white gold and diamonds, £40,900, De Beers. Shirt, £515, Ralph Lauren Collection
Elsa Peretti large Bone cuff in yellow gold, £31,600, and Elsa Peretti High Tide earrings in yellow gold, £2,975, Tiffany & Co. Denim bodysuit, £1,520, Maison Alaïa
Olympia bracelet in white gold and diamonds, POA, Van Cleef & Arpels. Torsade de Chaumet ring in white gold and diamonds, £25,200, Chaumet. Denim bodysuit, £1,520, and jeans, £1,180, Maison Alaïa
Model: Alexis Taylor at Milk Management
Styled by: Sophie Goodwin
Digital operator: Phillip Papadis
Photography assistant: Guillaume Mercier
Fashion assistant: Akos Geczi Bandi
Hair: Adam Garland using Authentic Beauty Concept
Make-up: Marie Bruce
Nails: Nichole Williams at Stella Creative Artists using OPI
Casting: Federica Mennea
