JNA Nov/ Dec 2021

市場情報 JNA Nov/Dec 2021 | 55 Anthony Van Dyck – at a time when European aristocrats had fallen in love with pearls. It was customary to wear just one piece, rather than a pair. According to historians, Charles was wearing this earring when he was executed in 1649. While the tradition quietly faded over the centuries, the wearing of pearls by men is once again becoming a trend in the fashion and jewellery world. Pearls also carry a different meaning now. In 2019, British singer Harry Styles wore a single pearl earring at the Met Gala, reestablishing the beloved gem’s prominent stature among jewellery lovers. Since then, Styles has worn pearl necklaces at many high- profile events. Other influential celebrities such as Usher, Joe Jonas and Pharrell Williams, to name a few, have likewise donned pearls in concerts and other occasions – further raising the profile of pearls among a younger generation of buyers. Daring and diverse Men have become more adventurous when it comes to wearing jewellery, according to jeweller Matthew Harris of US-based Mateo New York. Harris, who was born in Jamaica, founded his jewellery brand in 2009. A self-taught designer, his love of contemporary art, architecture and his adopted city of New York is evident in his creations. More than defying social standards however, men are accessorising with pearls once again because they want to and they can, shared Harris. “I do not think men set out to tackle such topics of diversity or shake up conventions,” he noted. “Men are continuously evolving. They are no longer afraid of taking risks by wearing jewellery. Maharajas and other great men of the past were always draped in pearls and as my mother would say, ‘There is nothing new under the sun.’ It is nice to see men wearing pearls again.” Mateo has a rich collection of pearl jewellery pieces, among them a strand of freshwater pearls in 14-karat gold for men. Other fine pearl jewellery pieces in both classic and contemporary designs featuring baroque pearls, and a combination of pearls and black enamel or mother-of-pearl could also be worn by men eager and willing to display their fashionable side. Popular culture With pearl jewellery experiencing an aesthetic revamp, buyers have at their disposal an eclectic choice of designs such as chain necklaces, single dangling baroque pearl earrings, oversized cocktail rings, leather bracelets adorned with black Tahitian pearls as well as modern pieces with golden South Sea, Akoya or freshwater pearls. The movement is greatly amplified by social media platforms where influencers constantly post photos and videos of the latest trends, including on-trend pearl jewellery pieces. While the Western world has Styles and other celebrities to emulate, South Korea’s hugely successful boy band BTS is capturing attention in Asia and the world over for its members’ unique, avant- garde appeal. Further fueling the so-called “masc-pearl trend,” V – one of the group’s seven members – is often seen wearing pearls such as a single drop earring or a strand of pearls. He has also been photographed wearing a pearl-embellished sweater. With BTS having more than 50 million followers on Instagram, it is safe to say that the group is a trendsetter, thanks to its massive clout among worldwide fans. Pharrell Williams donning necklaces, including a pearl strand (Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com) Pharrell Williams 叠戴項鏈及珍珠串 Pearl earrings by Mateo New York Mateo New York 珍珠耳環 Men’s pearl ring in silver 男士銀珍珠戒指