As Earth Day approaches, we look back on Cate Blanchett’s winning jewelry style at the 2023 BAFTA Awards and her commitment to sustainability.
Over the past few years, pearls have gotten a facelift and can range from feminine to edgy and everything in between. But there is still something to be said about strands of beautiful pearls worn in multiples with a dash of unexpected styling. This is the way, A-lister Cate Blanchett donned pearls at the 2023 BAFTA Awards. The necklaces were custom designed, re-imagined, and repurposed from prior Louis Vuitton high jewelry collection pieces.
Blanchett has been recycling gowns she wore to red carpet events for years and 2023 was no exception. The Hollywood Reporter quoted Blanchett and her decision to re-wear her red carpet looks, “From couture to T-shirts, landfills are filled with garments that have been unnecessarily discarded. Particularly in today’s climate, it seems willful and ridiculous that such beautiful garments are not cherished and reworn for a lifetime.”
Just some of the fashion Blanchett chose for events before we get to the spectacular pearl necklace:
At the 2020 Venice Film Festival Blanchett wore a top re-imagined from an Alexander McQueen gown she wore to the 2016 BAFTAs. But she went all out in 2023. For the 2023 SAG Awards she looked elegant in an Armani Privé gown, which was reworked with repurposed lace from a dress worn twice in the past. At the 2023 Oscars, she wore Louis Vuitton’s archival vivid blue top with a long black, sustainably sourced silk skirt.
But let’s get back to the jewelry. The face of Louis Vuitton’s high jewelry collections, Blanchett looked stunning while continuing the sustainable and socially conscious theme at the BAFTA Awards, where she took the award home for Best Actress for her role in Tar. She breathed new life into the Tahitian pearls and a large tourmaline used in prior Louis Vuitton designs. She donned this stunner with Maison Margiela black silk and velvet gown by John Galliano, which she first wore to the 2015 Oscars. She collaborated on the design with Louis Vuitton’s Artistic Director of Jewelry, Francesca Amfitheatrof, who wrote in an Instagram post, “Your effort to focus on re-wearing and repurposing led us to this necklace. Using Tahitian pearls, gold, diamonds and a 23,78 cts Nigerian Tourmaline, all from existing pieces. I loved making this necklace with you! Congratulations Cate for winning tonight from everyone at Louis Vuitton.”
Blanchett told WWD, “Seeking out and using and reusing sustainable materials is very important to me, and Francesca and I both know the beauty that can come from engaging in this space. We decided to create a moment to showcase not only her incredible artistry and ingenuity but the craftsmanship at Louis Vuitton,”
She added, “We seized the moment to create something exquisite together. The tourmaline stone was recovered and repurposed from a previous necklace design, as were the pearls. Rewearing, repurposing, and a collective approach toward more sustainable options are integral to the evolution and sustainability of the fashion industry.”
The 23.78 carat Nigerian tourmaline was connected to hand-threaded rows of metallic Tahitian pearls.
If you think back to the 2000 Oscars, she was already promoting a more eco-friendly approach to red carpet moments by wearing antique Mughal jewelry provided by and styled by Cynthia Bach. The look was sustainable and caused a sensation among the jewelry cognoscenti.
Blanchett has proven to have a winning style as a uber talented actress and an icon of style who hopefully has ignited a trend that will catch on with her fans and other fashion and jewelry enthusiasts.
Article Credits: Forbes