Elizabeth

Elegant Curiosities

Look / Elizabeth

The inspiration behind this look is drawn from the iconic Elizabeth Taylor, renowned for her love of jewels and celebrated for her book “My Love Affair with Jewellery.” More than a globally acclaimed actress and one of the most beautiful women of her time, Taylor spent a significant part of her life promoting AIDS awareness, contributing generously to fundraising efforts. In recognition of her acting prowess and philanthropy, particularly her contributions to AIDS research, she was bestowed the honor of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

In the setting on the top and necklace, a clothing fragment worn by Elizabeth Taylor herself is incorporated. There’s a documented video that verifies the unsealing and cutting of the fabric from the Panini Americana remnant card 22 236/499.

This unique piece comes with an Elegant Curiosities certificate of authenticity.

The necklace featuring Elizabeth Taylor’s clothing fragment is crafted from sterling silver. The setting is a bronze alloy, with the fabric preserved under epoxy. Surrounding the setting is a luxurious array of freshwater pearls.

The top is elegantly adorned with intricate lace, to which our designer has meticulously added a generous assortment of sterling silver beads, faceted purple amethyst, and grey/cream freshwater pearls.

The gloves are decorated with a row of grey freshwater pearls.

The skirt is made of a flowy polyester fabric with a silky look.

The tiara: This piece is made out of bronze filigree ornaments to which our designer added 24k gold and sterling silver hand plated details.

There are three 10mm cut Amethysts on the tiara that are set in sterling silver 4 prong settings. Together the amethysts are about 11ct. There are also amethyst cabochons and freshwater pearls on this piece.

About the collection

These creations cater to anyone wishing to embody their feminine side or make a statement with luxurious, distinct, and exclusive attire. Each garment doubles as a piece of jewelry in its own right. Elements in her designs incorporate historical artifacts, 24k hand-gilded and silver-plated details, precious gemstones, freshwater pearls, sterling silver, and 14k gold. All these elements converge to ensure that you’re not simply donning an item of clothing, but adorning a jewel, each bearing its unique narrative and source of inspiration.

Designer: Laila van den Dageraad / Elegant Curiosities

Model: Mythe Entjes

Photograpy: Laurens van Riel

Intern Coupeuse (skirts): Julia Eliene Vos

Music Production Showcase: Robin Post & HermanusArtisticus

Why is my collection black?

Most of the time, roughly 90%, I choose to don black attire because of its timeless elegance and sophisticated style. However, black is more than just a fashion statement, it has a profound significance that can be understood better through a historical lens.

During the era of the Romans and the Middle Ages, black was often symbolized as a color of power and respect. As time moved into the 13th century, the perception of the color black underwent a transformation, becoming associated with malignity and mortality. This notion was often reinforced by creatures of the dark, such as cats and crows, which were seen as omens of evil.

Creating the color black was a highly costly process, typically achieved by extracting pigments from bark, roots, and fruits. However, these sources often yielded shades that leaned more towards blue, gray, or brown. The most effective method to procure black dye was through the use of Oak apples. Despite their potency in producing the desired hue, their minuscule size meant that a vast quantity was required to generate a relatively small volume of dye.

During the 14th century, the popularity of black clothing began to rise. In those times, especially in Italy, societal norms prohibited the wearing of specific colors unless you belonged to the upper echelons of society. Affluent individuals without such status desired to distinguish themselves as well, and they found a loophole in the absence of any restrictions on the costly color black. This allowed them to subtly flaunt their wealth. As a consequence, the demand for black fabric soared, and this in turn refined the expertise of the dye-makers.

The captivating allure of black attire was not lost on society. Its deep, refined hue captivated the aristocracy of Europe, who quickly adopted it as a part of their attire. By the close of the 14th century, even foreign monarchs and noblemen began to show an inclination towards black clothing. Consequently, black established itself as the preferred color among noble youth for many ensuing centuries.

My love for history and luxury made me choose this color for my collection.

Elegant Curiosities

Look / Elizabeth

Elizabeth

About the collection

Why is my collection black?

Elegant Curiosities

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