The Keshi Pearl

Under the very large umbrella of baroque pearls resides the very unique and lovely Keshi Pearl.

The word "Keshi" is Japanese and means poppy seed. Keshi pearls can be freshwater or saltwater and vary in size and shape, however, the main element common to all Keshi pearls is they do not have a nucleus.

They are most often referred to as having a "corn flake" shape. The bottom line is the Keshi is a reject. This meaning that the oyster (salt) or mollusk (fresh) spits out the nucleus before the development of the pearl has had the opportunity to finish. Natures reject has become a very treasured and loved type of pearl-available in a myriad of shapes, colors, and sizes.

Our newest Keshi combo necklace/bracelet/earrings in the "Yum Yum" colors of summer!

Celebrate Your Inner Coco

Glad you don't have to put on a corset in addition to your bra and panties every morning?

Ever wonder what you would wear without your dependable LBD?

Care to know why every woman resorts to wear pearls - to her graduation, her wedding - and well for every important occasion? 

from Chanel's fine jewelry collection, 2012

On August 19th, be sure to take a moment to remember the woman that gave us the little black dress - that is, Coco Chanel. This month she would turn 129 - but her fashion legacy continues to thrive, over 100 years later. 

Born in France and raised in orphanages where she learned to sew, Chanel was a cabaret singer as a young adult. The nickname - "Coco" - came from her cabaret following, out of the French word - "cocette" - meaning "kept woman." 

Chanel in her later years - as stylish as ever.

 

 

At the age of 27, Chanel opened her first shop, selling hats. Chanel disliked the clothing trends of the times - which was composed of restrictive, body image-altering clothing, like corsets, and enjoyed the look of menswear. 

On a cold day in France, Chanel threw on her boyfriend's jersey jacket and re-fashioned it into a women's dress. The compliments that she received on this look led to requests for the same design - and ultimately launched her design career, which she referred to as "my fortune."  

The original "jersey dress" by Chanel. 

In 1925, she introduced her most famous looks, including her signature tweed collarless jackets, her multiple pearl necklace strands and gorgeous cuffs (worn on both arms). Perhaps her most famous contribution to women's fashion, the LBD (the Little Black Dress) - of which previously, black was thought to only be worn during times of mourning - but Chanel pioneered black as the hue for chic night wear.

Ms. Kiera Knightley in Chanel's "LBJ" - or Little Black Jacket.

Because Chanel refused to follow trends, her designs became both stylish and timeless. Because of her - your corset is more lingerie than underwear, your pearl necklace will rock any outfit, your LBD is the answer to any evening occasion, and your totally allowed to borrow - well anything - from your boyfriend's closet - just alter it a bit first, and you may pave the way to your own "fortune."

A pearl bracelet from the 2012 Chanel fine jewelry collection - modeled after her signature cuffs.

Great Pearls of Gatsby

CocoVee is excited about the 2012 Christmas release of the Great Gatsby by Baz Luhrmann, who is responsible for Romeo and Juliet (with Leo and Claire) and Moulin Rouge (with Miss Kidman). The stills look great and Carey Mulligan is clad in pearls!

What a fabulous pearl bracelet !!!

Love this headpiece ordained with pearls !!!

LOVE this shot - a simple pearl earring can look so dramatic when worn well - and Leo looks good, too!

The Great Gatsby was written in 1925 (by F.Scott Fitzgerald) , in a time of prohibition and a booming economy - pearls were just in - and they still look just as good!

Here's the radiant Mia Farrow of the 1974 adaptation of the Great Gatsby - with a lovely pearl necklace on!

Baz Luhrman (or his costume designer of choice) must love the look of pearls on film - and why not?

This is the lovely Nicole Kidman in Baz's Moulin Rouge - beautiful in her pearls!!!

Can't wait to see the movie this year and more of Carey in her pearls!

Famous Women in Classic Pearls

To begin, we would like to honor the women who made the pearl an international classic...

"Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Vermeer

Josephine Baker aka "the Black Pearl"

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel - paired long strands of white pearls with her signature "Chanel suit" - to add femininity

Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

Marylin Monroe with chandelier pearl earrings and a unique pearl and scarf pairing

Every woman should own a pair of pearl earrings, with a matching pearl necklace...

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis aka "Jackie O"

Thank you, ladies! - Miss Ashley and Ms. Roberta of CocoVee Upstairs