Feeling Precious

I bet you have already heard this: “Before I leave the house, I look in the mirror and take one accessory off.” It’s one of the famous quotes of Mademoiselle Chanel, often cited. But before we start to reconsider the number of accessories we wear, it’ s good to be aware of the circumstances, under which this opinion was expressed. Otherwise it could, like other quotes cited without any context, be easily misunderstood. 

This quote is not really a suggestion to adopt the minimalist approach, even though it seems to do so.

Yes, the famous designer used to praise simplicity in clothes and colours, but, when it came to jewellery, she always wore plenty of it. The period, when Coco Chanel started to create the dresses – the times of garishness and opulence – must be taken into consideration. Thereby, what was simple and minimalist in the context of that period, is not the same, what we call minimalism today.

Chanel really designed garments of simple shapes, made of mainly plain fabrics, but they formed an ideal ground to offset her rich jewellery. Coco wore heaps of jewellery, even for day occasions like sailing or going on the beach. From most of the photographs of her, it’ s obvious that she liked to combine even two or more different necklaces at the same time, earrings, several bracelets on each wrist, rings, headband or hat and a brooch. Of course, all those pieces were always in the great harmony, playing perfectly together.

What is really interesting, in regard of the wealth Chanel had, is that most of the jewellery she wore, were imitations. Coco Chanel was the first big designer and ambassador of “fake” jewellery claiming that jewellery should be worn to decorate and amuse rather than to flaunt wealth.

Coco believed a woman should wear jewellery without any worries that it could be stolen. And that’s something, what really can be inspiring for our times, too. It’s not important, how many jewellery pieces (or anything else) we wear, if it’s expensive or not, when we feel it makes us more beautiful and happier. Good taste and confidence is a best luxury we can own.

The key is the exceptional design of the jewellery I choose. When the piece has got something that can catch my attention immediately, that’ s really rare and precious. 

And that was exactly the case of these statement earrings from the Happiness Boutique. They are such a bold accessory themselves, that I decided to let them shine without too many other elements. And it made me feel like I’ve just came from a Great Gatsby movie.  For me, this is the perfect example of the jewellery, that doesn’t need any other advice than “wear it to feel good”. It’s all that matters.

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Statemenet earrings from the Happiness Boutique.

Note: you can get 10 percent discount for any beautiful jewellery over 19 euros from the Happiness Boutique with the code “smellofjasmine” till the September 5^th.   They offer free worldwide shipping and great customer reward program.  Enjoy! 🙂

© Creative direction  – Daniela Rifai Photos – Daniela Rifai Assistance – Martin Jesny