Christine Lagarde's power pearls
One of the most-photographed women in public life: Christine Lagarde, International Monetary Fund Director and major pearl-wearer.
Regardless of politics and philosophies, don't we all look closely at the style of any woman who reaches prominence on the world stage?
This is power dressing at its most elevated, on display by an ambassador of classic French style. She is known for perfectly-furled scarves or shawls—seen in nearly every podium appearance—and for stunning accessories, including a breathtaking assortment of pearls.
It is in fact not easy to find a photo of Christine Lagarde without pearls; she often wears multiple pieces.
In a classic white multi-strand:
She's
a polarizing figure, in both her IMF position and her former role as
France's finance minister (for which she was investigated and acquitted in a fraud probe last
spring).
This is power dressing at its most elevated, on display by an ambassador of classic French style. She is known for perfectly-furled scarves or shawls—seen in nearly every podium appearance—and for stunning accessories, including a breathtaking assortment of pearls.
It is in fact not easy to find a photo of Christine Lagarde without pearls; she often wears multiple pieces.
In a classic white multi-strand:
In a big pair of South Sea drops, her most frequently-worn earrings:
The South Sea earrings, worn with a SS bracelet:
She gives her pearls a twist—into her scarf:
In Tahitians at a meeting of eurozone finance ministers, in Luxembourg:
She also wears a mixed South Sea strand:
Sometime last year, Lagarde began to grow out her trademark short crop with bangs to a near-bob, and has kept the pearls.
In button earrings and an abstract floral bracelet:
One of my favourite looks: arriving for a conference in the English countryside, in a pearl and black-coral sautoir with a black tee.
In a blush Chanel dress, big studs and a South Sea pearl ring:
Photographed in October in New York in a double strand, rings, studs:
At the UN recently, in a long chain studded with massive baroques:
Lagarde has spoken often about obstacles for workforce participation for women. I am always interested in what she says on that topic.
Speaking in September at
the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, she lauded the key role of
women in bringing Iceland out of its
recession. When its economy crashed, "the banks, the funds, the
government—everything was taken over by women," she said. "So when it's
messy, you get the women in. But when the mess is sorted, keep the
women," she added, chuckling.
Now, that is a strategy I can support: mess sorted, women in significant roles, and...in pearls.
Comments
une femme: Probably the most extensive collection available for photos!
That's Not My Age: She really makes that "dress for success" advice to wear minimal jewelery look awfully stiff and dated.
materfamilias: That's it, feminine- and I think more so with the softer, longer hair.
Tabitha: Oh, yes! An emerald cut is so you, and I only wish I could see what you do with it.
Murphy: I have done several posts on rehabbing your pearls... and might have to write another. Unless they are hopelessly jeune-fille, they should have a new life.
Anon@10:47: OK, you two. I shall post on this.
spacegeek: There are so many thrilling pearl varieties, it only makes sense to slowly collect the ones you like best.
Pam: She can afford the best, and wears it to advantage, both in jewelry and clothes. I saw her in a slim pantsuit that was just a knockout.
LPC: She regularly speaks about the importance of women's participation in the workplace; her statements inflame some and are lauded by others.
hostess: If there is one thing I think women should consider when buying or restyling pearls, it is size- not for the sake of status (there are some pretty, biggish pearls for under four figures out there), but for presence on a mature woman.
Anne and Kirk: I've never seen it on anyone else, myself.