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I HAVE TO ADMIT that it really irks me when a fashion influencer doesn’t know his history. Actress Holland Taylor wore a white suit that fit her perfectly — at 81 years old, she looked amazing when she attended the 2024 Emmy Awards, nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for The Morning Show. Influencer Nicky Campbell was commenting on her jewelry when he said, “I really don’t like when people have brooches on both sides of the lapel. Keep it asymmetrical.”
Taylor left a perfectly graceful comment on Campbell’s Instagram post in response: “I generally am right with you on your takes- but do want to say that while I agree with you re wearing a brooch— clips – which is what I wore on my suit, are usually worn as a pair, at either side of a wide neckline of a gown, or a boat neck, or on strong lapels. Mine are paste pieces, bought by my mother, barely twenty- an insane extravagance, at about 37$— $800 in today’s money. Some paste is astonishingly good,” she said.
Campbell’s response was, “Ooooh they were clips! I now approve and thank you for this story – so cool! ❤️.”
It is interesting because I immediately noticed the pair of clips on Holland’s lapel and thought they were the perfect complement to the simplicity of the white suit. Clips, which were designed by houses like Cartier, Boucheron, Chaumet, Belperron and many more designers of the Art Deco period, were usually created as one piece that could unhinge into two clips and be worn in myriad ways, such as those that Holland described, as well as in the hair, on shoes, the straps of a slinky dress and other ways that went with the popular fashions of the period. Clips also made their way into Retro jewelry but in yellow gold with diamond accents, semi-precious or synthetic stones rather than platinum and precious gems.
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They were also designed as Holland’s mother purchased them — in paste, which uncannily look like the real deal and have shot up in price due to their renewed popularity.
I personally have a pair of clips that everyone who sees compliments me on, and unless they are educated dealers, believe they are the real thing. In fact, they are rock crystal but with paste round diamonds and calibre cut sapphire. I have worn them in every way I can think of and they are favorites of mine, although I wouldn’t mind having the real thing.
Taylor’s looked real, but I love her story about her mom and I also was a fan of her look.
My one comment to any influencer who is going to comment on “how to wear a piece of jewelry”— do your jewelry history homework (-: And I say this with the best intentions — then you don’t have to retract statements or get into it with an actress who has definitely earned her dues.