In the Market Report: Neck & Neck With Anna Wintour

Anna Wintour wearing her Georgian collet necklaces Photos: Vogue & Style,.com

Anna Wintour is one of the most consistently turned out women in fashion, if not the world. But while she may vary her ensembles somewhat, there are certain accessories she never seems to be without. In addition to her every hair in place bob (I guess you can consider it an accessory), and her oversized Chanel shades, she has an undeniable penchant for Georgian Collet necklaces which she often layers two, three, or four at a time, mixing the colors. She wears them year round, and for both day and evening (with long gowns, simple sheath dresses, tweed skirt suits, fur and fur trimmed coats, simple t shirts, etc.)

Ralph Lauren Spring 2015 (Lauren photos: Style.com)

It’s been hard not to notice that Ralph Lauren has been similarly smitten. His Spring 2015 collection shown last September, (a study in “exotic luxury”), had a romantic safari theme, with luminous colors (citrine, orange, fuchsia) playing off khaki. On the runway, he accessorized many of his outfits with multi colored stone necklaces, and often layered them in such a way as to completely cover the bodice.

Ralph Lauren Spring 2015

Ralph is the master of the unexpected mix, and one of the first designers who routinely and offhandedly mixed day and night, boy and girl, soft and hard, street and couture, old and new. The way he played down the formality and extravagance of these eye catching stone necklaces with the more informal and utilitarian cargo shirts, shirt jackets, jumpsuits, (and one show stopping floor length gown), was particularly effective (especially since the pieces were made of gusty suede and cotton drill, in addition to silk gazar).

Ralph Lauren Spring 2015

The aforementioned necklaces, made of Swarovski crystals, are available in his collection stores and online (www.ralphlauren.com), and range in price from approximately $995 – $2495. But as it turns out, many are made of paste, and they are relatively easy to find in far less expensive incarnations.

Anna Wintour inspired collet necklace from Sacred Cake

Etsy (www.etsy.com) has several enterprising sellers who have been capitalizing on Anna’s beloved signature necklaces, a few going so far as to advertise their selection as such. One shop in particular, called Sacred Cake specializes in “Anna Wintour inspired Georgian collet necklaces” (in addition to assemblage jewelry and unique gifts). Priced from $88 – $103, they are all made to order (Jennifer Valentine uses vintage and new Czech glass rhinestones) and you have your choice of size, shape, and color of stone (citrine, olive green, gray, rhinestone, light blue, sky blue, rose pink, purple, sunlight), and finish (silver, antique gold, bronze).

Anna Wintour cheering on Roger Federer wearing her signature necklaces

So, the bottom line is that you may never be as powerful as Anna, or have her enviable wardrobe, but you can easily follow her lead and add some color, shine, and interest to your neck, and whatever it is you’re wearing.