When you think of Chanel, what springs to mind? Tweed suits? Yes. Camellias? Sure. Pearls? Absolutely. And it was pearls that were were the accessory du jour at the 2023 Met Gala. Naturally, we were expecting a fair few given that the theme was Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty in honour of the late Chanel designer. But these weren't any ordinary pearls. These were Met Gala pearls.
Forget simple strings or drop earrings, instead attendees opted for a serious sartorial upgrade in the jewellery department. Alongside the unofficial monochrome dress-code, it seemed pearls were top of the list for the red carpet crowd. Take Lizzo's pearl encrusted fingerless gloves - a nod to Lagerfeld's trademark attire - and multi-string pearl necklace that was actually was more of a pearl harness, for example. Or Rihanna's supersized pearl ear cuff, the perfect accessory to another show-stopping Met Gala moment.
Elsewhere was Kim Kardashian, who took the pearl necklace to the next level in a custom Schiaparelli look that layered up so many they actually made up the whole of her top, and Serena Williams who finished off her custom Gucci gown with a perfectly polished pearl headdress by Lelet NY. Model, Karlie Kloss even accessorised her baby bump with a Chanel inspired take on the chain belt.
But it wasn't just necklaces and earrings, Rita Ora went one step further and opted for pearl adorned nails which, whilst potentially not the most practical, certainly made an impact on the internet.
With plenty more pearly queens to add to the list, we're already digging out the jewellery box, it's what Karl would've wanted after all.