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Power Dressing: Beyond Celebrity, Jewelry That Makes A Statement | October 11, 2016 (0 comments)
London, UK—Throughout history, jewelry has been used to make a personal statement. Whether it’s to show one’s wealth or even religious symbolism, jewelry has long had meaning beyond simple adornment.
Power jewelry was explored in The Economist’s new 1843 Magazine. While former U.S. secretary of state Madeleine Albright (left) and the late British prime minister Margaret Thatcher both were known for their signature pins (usually with some movement to them), you might not be as familiar with the others. In an article titled “Jewel Purpose,” Economist senior editor Anne McElvoy, explores the jewelry of politicians and other women in power. In addition to Thatcher and Albright, she looks at Hillary Clinton’s charm bracelet by Monica Rich Kosann and British prime minister Theresa May’s quirky geometric jewelry look, among others.
Of course, jewelers have long known which customers of theirs enjoyed ‘power jewelry’ and what to sell them. Statement pieces, bold looks or delicate baubles all characterize this look. It depends on the person and what she’s trying to communicate. Executive women also turn to jewelry to make a statement, such as the diamond earrings and necklace digital marketing executive Randi Zuckerberg (sister of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and a former C-level executive at the company) wears. Zuckerberg loves diamonds because, well, she does—but it also conveys to the world what she’s achieved.
Randi Zuckerberg loves diamonds and often wears her favorite diamond earrings (above) and diamond riviere necklace (not visible in this photo) for public speaking engagements.
And, not surprisingly, it’s not just the jewelry that makes the power look. It’s the ‘power blazer.’ As detailed here, Nina McLemore designs clothing that works for powerful women.
It’s an added bonus for jewelers that most of them would showcase a great bracelet or two or a stunning necklace or earrings!
McLemore’s mission: “I can give women clothes so that when they walk in the room, people will take them seriously,” she says in the video from this story. Her target market is the power suit for women over 40. She says, “There’s an image that is acceptable to men. For women, there is no template.” So, McLemore created one. Her jackets narrow at shoulder and skim the waist. The sleeves that roll back, the collar stands at attention. It works from morning until evening. It’s not cheap, but much less than couture clothing.
McLemore says first, it’s about looking powerful, then about the delivery. Senator Elizabeth Warren wears power jackets (below) and that look give her an ‘I’m ready to work’ look for her frequent Congressional and public addresses. Read the full article here.
From the article: “’Our brains,’ she says, ‘make snap assessments about people that can determine everything from who gets hired to whom we talk to at a cocktail party. We remember how someone looked more often than we remember exactly what they said. So, look capable, look confident, look good.’”
Many of your female power customers appreciate this look and even more so, your help to finish it out with the perfect jewelry ensemble.