Ten American Films that Rocked the Jewelry World

Marilyn Monroe
 Gentleman Prefer Blondes
(1953)

Fashion trends originate from a multitude of sources. Different demographic groups sometimes take cues from different places.  What resignates at Fashion Week isn't always what resignates with the greater public, although, overlaps do of course happen.  One of the many vehicles that drives jewelry trends in the general public is not surprisingly the one that is traditionally easily accessible to it -the big screen.  Since feature films are widely viewed by the public, they are often the source of bringing specific styles and concepts into mainstream demand. The following list examines how movies past and present have upped mainstream demand for various concepts in jewelry and accessories (in no particular order!). 

Twilight

In a world where cutsie counterfit Tiffany's bobbles were often the only adornments to grace the spray tanned skin of the American public, the Twilight series made way for the ('albeit' tame) "gothic" in mainstream demand.

Eat Pray Love

In a carefully orchestrated partnership with home shopping networks and jewelry designers known to have a "soul-searchy" following, Eat Pray Love's production egged on demand for ethnically inspired adornments and charms with messages that are either "thoughtful" or "self-absorbed" depending on your point of view.

Titanic

Released in the plastic happy 1990's Titanic fostered an appreciation for antique and estate jewelry in mainstream consumers by way of showering the beautiful Kate Winslet in quality ornate antiquities and reproductions.  Reproductions of the "Heart of the Ocean" as depicted in Titanic are still selling a decade post-release.

Harry Potter

Harry Potter Author J.K. Rowling single handedly changed the buying habits of a generation, when she conjured up tastes for the mystical and mischevious in men and women young and old.  Dragons, keys, amulets, owls, scrolls, and other fantastical icons are still sought after by Harry Potter fans worldwide.  The official Harry Potter site isn't the only place to offer this type of merch.  Just check out Etsy.  Crafters all over have capitalized on the Harry Potter trend.   

Pirates of the Caribbean

Needless to say the Pirates of the Caribbean series inspired a cult-like following of men and women seeking some pirate booty.  From swords to coins to skulls this series is suspect for taking part in today's recent playfully macabre trend.  Replica jewelry from this series is also very sought after. 

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Oh me oh my, this may be a movie that defined a century for jewelry.  Although Tiffany's was already one of the top retailers of fine wares when the movie was released in 1961, Audrey Hepburn helped to seal the deal.  Tiffany's brand image is still so strong that it continues to fetch prices for sterling silver pieces that command the value of gold.    

Sex and the City (1 and 2)

Need I say more?  Sex and the City 1 and 2 single handedly softened the effects of a great recession for some lucky recipients in the fashion industry.  With its "carpe diem -you're worth it" message, Sex and the City catapulted mainstream demand for authentic designer merchandise and possibly launched more individual jewelry trends than any other Hollywood production including but not limited to gold chain link bracelets, long strands of freshwater pearls, statement earrings such as the cleopatra earrings, and oversized flower rings.      

Cleopatra

Released in 1963, this one is probably the least well seen of our mentions.  Although Cleopatra flopped at the box office upon its release, a reported 37 million was spent on the production, the most ever spent on a single film at the time.  The jewelry and costuming were phenomenal for the period.  Prior to it, Hollywood films were saturated with safely classic jewels.  Cleopatra featured the bold, exotic, and ethnically inspired jewelry that many women covet today.  Although most haven't seen the film, most women of all ages have some shroud of the Elizabeth Taylor "Cleopatra" image in their minds along with a sense of admiration and inspiration.  The movie (perhaps coincidentally) was a great precursor for the artful bohemian  of the 60's pieces to come.     

Gentleman Prefer Blondes  

Best known for the song "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend," the film grossed Fox a cool (1953!) 5 million as the number one movie of its year, but the diamond sales it influenced are immeasurable.  Whether you think the movie is cute and honest or an an anti-feminist nightmare, you have to admit its ideals are still engrained in American culture.   

Clueless

Stars, crosses, and classics - good-girl-on-purpose jewelry (the school girl, rich girl, preppy girl, valley girl, and dare we say "Lolita" aestetic)!  The jewelry worn in clueless was actually minimal in nature, but the movie still inspired superflous fashion splurging in itself.  If anything, the movie inspired younger girls to veer away from the funkidelic accessories of the 80's and early 90's and go classic like their older mothers and grandmothers and the lovely "Cher." 




This is of course by no means a comprehensive list, as several other movies have affected the jewelry world in one way or another, sometimes in more profound ways than we realize!