Few elements in fashion have remained as enduring, iconic, and transformative as pearls. Worn by royalty, reimagined by designers, and continually reinvented across generations, pearls have transcended trends to become a symbol of timeless luxury. In the world of high fashion, pearls are not simply accessories—they are statements. They hold stories, signify refinement, and often serve as the finishing touch that elevates a look from elegant to unforgettable.
At United States Pearl, we honor this history while embracing the modern future of pearls. Today, we’re taking a closer look at how some of the world’s most renowned luxury fashion houses have shaped—and been shaped by—the enduring allure of pearls.
Chanel: Reinventing Pearl Iconography
When it comes to pearls in high fashion, no name looms larger than Coco Chanel. In the 1920s, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel revolutionized women’s fashion by defying the idea that pearls should be locked away and worn only on formal occasions. She boldly mixed fine and costume jewelry, layering multiple strands of faux and real pearls over relaxed silhouettes, introducing a new kind of elegance: effortless, confident, and daring
To this day, Chanel continues to use pearls—in earrings, brooches, accessories, and runway embellishments. Pearls are now part of the brand’s visual DNA. They appear in both minimalist black-and-white ensembles and maximalist runway moments, a testament to their adaptability and eternal grace.
Style legacy: Coco’s layered pearl strands symbolized independence and femininity without formality. Chanel pearls are bold, iconic, and deeply intertwined with the modern woman’s fashion identity.
Givenchy: Sophistication in Silence
Hubert de Givenchy, known for dressing Audrey Hepburn, approached fashion with quiet sophistication—and pearls became a subtle but essential part of that elegance. While never overused, pearls in Givenchy designs carried weight. Think: simple teardrop pearl earrings paired with a black sheath dress, or a single-pearl pendant worn under a sharply tailored collar.
In today’s red carpet moments and couture designs, Givenchy often draws on this legacy. Pearls are used minimally but purposefully, enhancing the overall sense of elegance without overpowering the garment.
Style legacy: Givenchy’s pearls whisper rather than shout. They are refined, delicate, and deeply connected to classic silhouettes and cinematic glamour
Vivienne Westwood: Pearls with Punk Attitude
Perhaps one of the most unexpected uses of pearls in luxury fashion has come from the late, great Vivienne Westwood. Known as a pioneer of punk fashion, Westwood took pearls out of the aristocratic playbook and reintroduced them with grit, irony, and rebellion.
Her iconic three-strand pearl choker, often adorned with a gothic orb emblem, has become a cult classic—worn by fashion insiders, celebrities, and Gen Z trendsetters alike. In Westwood’s world, pearls are subversive. They break rules, question tradition, and prove that elegance can have an edge.
Style legacy: Westwood’s pearls symbolize a deliberate disruption of class norms. They’re punk, political, and packed with personality.
Miu Miu and Prada: Pearls for the Intellectual Fashionista
Brands like Miu Miu and Prada, known for mixing intelligence with aesthetic experimentation, have brought pearls into contemporary streetwear, gender-fluid fashion, and editorial styling. From pearl-adorned Mary Janes to handbags and denim jackets lined with tiny pearl beads, these brands redefine how pearls show up in everyday luxury.
These looks aren’t about tradition. They’re about recontextualizing the pearl, placing it into environments where it’s least expected and most impactful. Pearls become playful, architectural, ironic, or even humorous in these collections.
Style legacy: Pearls in Prada and Miu Miu reflect innovation, wit, and the ability to wear luxury without being bound by it.
Pearls as a Language of Luxury
Across all of these fashion houses, one theme holds true: pearls communicate luxury without being loud. They are subtle yet impactful. Soft, but full of strength. Unlike trendy pieces that lose their relevance with time, pearls evolve while retaining their fundamental charm. This is why they’ve remained a favorite of designers decade after decade—able to shape-shift across eras, aesthetics, and attitudes.
From Chanel’s fearless femininity to Dior’s soft sophistication, from Givenchy’s elegance to Westwood’s anarchy, pearls have spoken many fashion dialects. But no matter the setting or styling, they consistently express refinement, story, and staying power.
United States Pearl: Continuing the Tradition
At United States Pearl, we embrace the long-standing legacy of pearls in high fashion while carving out space for new voices and visions. We source ethically farmed, high-quality pearls that are ready for designers, jewelers, and stylists who want to carry forward this tradition—with their own modern twist.
We believe that pearls aren’t just jewelry. They are storytelling tools. Whether you’re designing for a luxury collection, crafting custom heirlooms, or simply styling for everyday elegance, pearls connect your work to decades of artistry—and a future filled with limitless creativity.