This Monday was Fashion’s most prestigious event held at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. A-listers and their stylists explored the theme; ‘China: Through the looking glass’ and the results were absolutely fabulous!
With so many precious statement jewels on display, it was easy to spot a few prominent trends. Emerald earrings were the must-have accessory of the night as seen on Uma Thurman, Lily Aldridge, Chrissy Teigen and Karlie Kloss. Statement headpieces made all heads turn on the red carpet and we couldn’t get enough of Kate Hudson’s yellow diamond floral headpiece. We also spotted last year’s favorite ear cuff trend on Miley Cyrus and Anne Hathaway, and the classic voilette net veil on Vanessa Hudgens and Lily Collins.
Here are the key jewelry looks we loved from this year’s MET Gala:
With so many styles of ear adornments now in fashion, it can get a little confusing as to what’s called what. From the most recent ear jackets, as seen on many celebrities including Rihanna, Rita Ora and Reese Witherspoon, to ear wiresandear cuffs, as seen on Marilyn Monroe and Carmen Miranda, we are here to help define and clarify.
Ear Jackets
Also known as lobe earrings, this type of earring usually consists of a small stud in front with all the party going on in the back. With adjustable backs these fit ears of all shapes and sizes and can be worn with any other stud earrings that have a post back!
Ear Cuffs
These have to be one of our favourite types of ear accessories as they come in so many variations. From pretty punk to glam, post backs to clips, you name it and someone has designed it! Ear Cuffs sit on either the lobe (bottom soft part) of the ear, or up on the helix (upper hard part) and travel up or down the outer edge of the ear, this means the same pair of cuffs could be worn in many different ways.
Ear Wires
Similar to the ear cuff this travels up the ear but the person wearing them has to have a pierced earlobe. The reason for this is the wire goes through the whole and secures behind the antihelical fold to hold the cuff in place. These are usually smaller in size compared to the ear cuff and have a more dainty feminine feel.
Our fascination with the ear cuff continues to grow season upon season, as the style elite, celebrity icons and designer catwalk shows continue to embrace and rediscover this key accessory trend.
We were curious to know more about this enchanting ear adornment, and considered how it may have developed over time to become such a loved and lusted-over jewelry box addition.
With the growth of our ear cuff collection at SOPHIESCLOSET.COM we decided to delve a little into history and discover where the story began…
It Began with the Kafa…
The first type of ear cuff ever recorded in history, in 2000 BC, was called a Kaffa. Examples of the original Kaffa were found in burial sites during excavations that took place in the British Isles.
Kaffa circa 2000 BC
Unlike earrings and clip-ons that attach to the earlobe, these were made to attach to the pinna, the visible outside edge of the ear.
Lion motif Kaffa, date unknown
No piercing was required for this type of earring and since its weight put little pressure on the ear, more elaborate and large designs were created.
Evidence of Kaffa illustrated onto pottery circa 800 BC
Early Kaffas were crafted from brass with no stone embellishment and designed with a large round mount to wrap around the ear.
Greece – 350 BC
Greek aristocrats wore golden ornate adaptations of the brass Kaffas in approximately 350 BC.
Golden detailed pegasus Kaffa and Silver and gold pendant portrait displaying Kaffa circa 350 BC
They were worn as a symbol, to reflect a wealthy status in society and were more elaborate and fine in design in comparison to the early Kaffas.
Traditional painting circa 350 BC showing the simple golden Kaffa
Asia – 1200 AD
Kaffa images were seen in ancient Indian art dating back to the 12th Century. These Kaffas were made using precious metals and stones and were decorated with numerous chains and pearls that clipped from the ear lobe to the nose or to the hair.
Canvas illustration of a woman drinking tea in decorative jewelry, including beaded Kaffa. circa 1200 AD
Indian Kaffas were worn mostly at weddings and celebrations and this is still seen in the Indian culture to this day.
Canvas illustration of bridal party wearing traditional jewelry, including ornate Kaffa circa 1200 AD
In Thailand, Kaffas were also seen during the 12th century. This is illustrated in many of the antique paintings and sculptures of that time period in Thailand.
Traditional Thai interior decoration with statues wearing large Kaffas circa 1200 AD
Thai Kaffas consisted of more detailed and sharp winged designs that were larger in size and mostly bird-inspired. Kaffas today are a part of the traditional Thai costume.
Ornate Thai Kaffas circa 1200 AD
Europe – 1800AD
In the 18th century Kaffas appeared in Europe. These modernised Kaffas, unlike those from the ancient period, were more restrained in execution and outwardly resembled classic earrings. Jewelers used floral ornaments and patterns to create feminine Kaffas. These were crafted using premium metals and decorated with precious stones, mainly diamonds, sapphires and rubies.
Lavinia Fontana portait of Isabella Ruini as Venus 1592
These modernized ornate and jeweled Kaffas were only affordable to the upper class, and worn to showcase wealth and social status as in ancient Greece.
Kaffas gold plated and adorned in Diamonds and rubys, approx. 1800AD, designer unknown
America – 2000AD
In the 20th century, Kaffas were no more. Women no longer lusted over classic ornate or heavy large gold earrings and craved something new glamourous and exciting. It was during the post-war prosperity in America that Earrites were born.
Editorial adverts by Marcel Boucher, approx. 1920
Marcel Boucher, the French jeweler who immigrated to New York in the early 1920s met the demands of the elite women of America by creating the first Earrite. The Earrite was an ear jewel or earring which was worn over the ear just like a Kaffa but clipped and pinned to the earlobe. The designs were very feminite and delicate and became so popular in the 1950s that Boucher patented his creation and sold them individually.
Editorial Adverts, Albert Weiss, Kramer and Trifari circa 1920’s
Popular among fashionistas and socialites alike, Earrites also appeared on the famous ears of the most successful actresses of that time period: Marylin Monroe, Lita Baron and Miranda Carmen were photographed wearing Earrites.
From left to right; Lita Baron, Carmen Miranda and Marilyn Monroe
In 1951 to 1957 when the television series “I Love Lucy” was being broadcast, the main character Lucy, played by the Legendary Lady of Comedy, Lucille Ball, was often seen wearing Earrites.
Actress Lucille Ball
Modern Ear Cuffs
20 years later and the glamorous Earrties were known as something of the past. Ear cuffs were now on the scene and recognized as a symbol of toughness rebellion.
Actress Edie Sedgwick – 1950’s
The mid 1980s saw ear cuffs adorning the runway in a mix of pop and punk culture thanks to Jean Paul Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, Etro and Alexander Wang
Ear Cuffs 1980s
The 1990s saw the next wave of popularity for ear cuffs, however their popularity was no longer glamourous and instead developed from the punk trend. They re-emerged as simple silver accessories, embellished with multiple chains, spikes and studs.
Six Lemeure (Jenna von Oÿ), Joey Russo (Joey Lawrence) and Blossom Russo (Mayim Bialik) from the 1990’s hit TV show – Blossom and Six
In 2003, the ears of Alexander McQueen’s runway models were decorated with Kaffas in the shape of feathers.
Alexander Mcqueen AW 2003 collection
Today…
11 years on and wearing ear cuffs, as we call them today, is a trend that has been rediscovered over and over. From Rodarte and Jason Wu to Chloe, Dries Van Notem, Thakoon, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Roberto Cavalli, high fashion designers are continuously adapting the ear cuff into something of their own.
Rodarte, Thakoon, and Jean Paul Gualiter, 2013
The transformation of this ear ornament every season is fascinating and we can’t wait to share the Fall/Winter 2014 ear cuff collections with you soon!
Blake Lively, Jennifer Lawrence and Cara Delevigne 2013-1014
Here are a few of our favorite ear cuffs available now at SOPHIESCLOSET.COM:
Sunday night celebrated Hollywood’s most prestigious annual event, seeing the 86th Academy Awards descend upon the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
After days of heavy rainfall, the sun finally shone just in time to welcome the world’s most glamorous ladies to the red carpet. Glitz and glamour were once again present in abundance with gorgeous, glistening gowns, precious dazzling diamond jewels and scene-stealing ensembles adorning the globe’s glitterati.
This year’s winners were the ever-beautiful Cate Blanchett who picked up a ‘Best Actress’ Oscar for her role in Blue Jasmine, plus she looked remarkably mesmerizing in a nude Armani Prive embellished pearl and sequin gown teamed with a pair of large diamond pendant-style earrings.
Kenyan actor, Lupita Nyong’o won an Oscar for her film debut as ‘Best Supporting Actress’ in 12 Years a Slave. Her full pleated powder blue Prada gown glistened as she twirled and was offset by a turquoise ring, gold bangles, silver statement stud earrings and an oh-so-chic crystal headband. Get her look with our luscious new arrivals at SOPHIESCLOSET.COM.
Here are other key jewelry looks that we’re a little in love with after reviewing this year’s Oscars outfits:
All About Ear Cuffs – On Sunday we saw the most exquisite ear cuffs around. Elegant, edgy ear cuffs enhanced the outfits of Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway and Lupita Nyong’o. The way to wear the new ear cuff subtle styles is to just cover the base of the ear lobes, ensuring instant sparkle and shimmer with a modern edge.
Picture Perfect Pastels – Powdery pink dresses and pretty subtle pastel shade jewels were the hot hues of the moment for Cate Blanchett, Camila Alves and Olivia Wilde. Subtle pastels accented their accessories and shimmered on diamond drop earrings and on rings too.
Cate Blanchett
Camila Alves
Olivia Wilde
Steal their style with these stunning Sophie’s Closet gems.
Shourouk Marguerite Pearl Earrings
AED 2,195 (US) $598
Classic Crystals – Dazzling drops make the ultimate glitzy style statement and are the best accompaniment to any after-dark ensemble. Classic crystal drops were chosen by Jessica Biel, Kate Hudson and Penelope Cruz, through stars, strands and sparkling studs.
Jessica Biel
Kate Hudson
Penelope Cruz
Ciner Crystal Ornate Drop Earrings
AED 1,150 (US) $313
Color Clash – Amy Adams made her mark in vibrant red drop earrings that color clashed with her beautiful navy Gucci gown. She wasn’t the only one with colorful drops as many more made an appearance at Vanity Fair’s Oscars after party too. It’s the ideal way to showcase a fun and fabulous personality by combining a pop of color with deluxe diamonds.
Amy Adams
Kenneth Jay Lane Coral Turquoisse Drop Earrings
AED 795 (US) $217
Who needs a red carpet to get a glamorous get-up?! Make every event count and prepare to party in the most exquisite jewels around!
Snowstorms may have delayed the shows, but the weather wasn’t stopping the world’s fasionistas from making their scheduled appearance. Models, stylists, photographers, designers, celebs and journalists all made their way through the treacherous conditions to last week’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City.
We thought we’d take a sneaky peek at what the glitterati chose to wear to brave the city streets on one of the most fashionable (and coldest) weeks of the year. Here are their perfectly picked jewelry gems:
Ear Cuff
Listen up ladies! Both Aline Weber (above) and Sofía Sanchez Barrenechea adorned their ears with the glitz and glamour of a Rodarte earring cuff. In fact, Sofía Sanchez Barrenechea also teamed her Rodarte gem with a co-ordinating Rodarte fringed leather jacket!
Sofía Sanchez Barrenechea
Get the rock-chic statement look for yourself with our very own Erickson Beamon Duchess of Fabulous Ear Cuffs, complete with Swarovski crystals. (You’ll receive two ear cuffs, one for each ear). We’ve even a matching ring available too.
Girly girls will simply love an oversized bow headband, so it’s lucky we have quite a selection in stock! Ulyana Sergeenko looks truly lovely in her Chanel headband, even in the bitter cold.
Ulyana Sergeenko
Steal her style with our Gossip Girl Black Satin Bow headband or opt for our Jennifer Behr Black Velvet Bow Headband, hand-wrapped in rich black velvet ribbon.
Alternatively if you love the look and want to ramp up the girly factor even further, choose a blush pink bow headband. Try this Soft Silk Pink Bow Headband on for size. It’s also available in violet, black, and gray.
Tina Leung knows style when she sees it – we’ve an exact match of her simply stunning Joomi Lim Metal Luxe Crystal Spike Necklace. Statement-making and oh-so-chic, these Swarovski crystals and brass spikes will add shimmer and sparkle to your daywear and evening looks too.
Gold animal pieces are everywhere right now. Not only did the ever-gorgeous, trend-setting Cara Delevingne wear her lion statement chain pendant to New York Fashion Week, Rita Ora donned hers front row at London Fashion Week.
Cara Delevingne
Show off your wild side with one of Sophie’s Closet animal gems, such as our Pink Pave Gold Five Lion Head Necklace Set or our Vintage Trifari Tiger Brooch and Earrings Set, ideal for channelling your inner tigress.
Last but by no means least, the hoops still have it when it comes to stealing the show! Michelle Harper ensured her ears were the main attraction with her oversized, stand-out, glam gold earrings.
Michelle Harper
For a pair of your own gorgeous gold hoops, our Noir Large Gold Pyramid Spike Hoops offer everyday indulgence, whatever the occasion.
Click here for more statement headpieces
Lily Collins and Vanessa Hudgens
Uma Thurman, Sienna Miller and Lizzy Caplan
Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian-West
Jennifer Connolly, Anne Hathaway and Miley Cyrus
Ivanka Trump and Olivia Munn
Karlie Kloss, Kendall Jenner and Lily Aldridge.
