International Women's Day is celebrated on the 8th of March every year to honour the achievements of women and to raise awareness about gender equality. This day is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of women in various fields, and to celebrate their resilience and strength in the face of adversity.
The theme for International Women's Day 2023 is “Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality". This theme highlights the crucial role that women play in shaping the world and calls for greater support and recognition for their leadership and contributions.
As a female business owner, the achievements of Women is a subject very close to my own heart. The importance of gender equality cannot be overstated. Women have made remarkable progress in the past few decades, but there is still much work to be done to achieve true gender parity. According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2021, it will take another 135.6 years to close the global gender gap completely. This is a stark reminder of the need for continued efforts to empower women and promote gender equality.
On this International Women's Day, let us celebrate the achievements of women, recognize their leadership and contributions, and renew our commitment to promoting gender equality. We must work together to create a world where women have equal opportunities and are able to live their lives to the fullest potential.
So today in celebration of International Women’s Day let’s take a closer examination at some empowered famous Women who have a well known penchant for Antique Jewellery.
Oprah Winfrey
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey is a fan of antique jewellery and often wears vintage pieces on her TV show and at public events. One of Oprah's favourite antique jewellery pieces is her Edwardian diamond tiara, which she wore to a party hosted by Prince William and Kate Middleton. The tiara is a beautiful example of Edwardian craftsmanship, featuring delicate filigree work and sparkling diamonds. Oprah also wears vintage diamond necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, often incorporating them into her signature style. Oprah has also been seen wearing antique pearl jewellery. She has a beautiful pearl necklace from the early 20th century, which she often wears with her elegant outfits. She has also been seen wearing antique pearl earrings, which add a touch of old-world glamour to her look.
Oprah's love for antique jewellery extends beyond just wearing it. In 2013, she auctioned off some of her personal antique jewellery collection at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers in Chicago, with a portion of the proceeds going to her charitable foundation. The collection included antique diamond and sapphire earrings, Art Deco diamond bracelets, and a diamond and emerald necklace.
Rihanna
Pop star Rihanna is known for her bold and eclectic fashion sense, and often wears statement jewellery pieces. Rihanna's recent performance at the Super Bowl was significant in terms of gender equality, as it challenged traditional gender roles and expectations around pregnancy and motherhood.
Historically, women have been expected to put their careers on hold or limit their ambitions once they become pregnant or have children. This expectation has been particularly strong in the entertainment industry, where women have been pressured to prioritize their roles as mothers over their careers.
By performing at the Super Bowl while visibly pregnant, Rihanna challenged these expectations and sent a powerful message about women's ability to balance their personal and professional lives.
Now back to Rihanna's love of antique jewellery. Rihanna has also been seen wearing a vintage Cartier necklace made of gold, diamonds, sapphires, pearls, rubies, moonstone, opal and emeralds that she wore to the 2018 Met Gala. The elegant and timeless design of the necklace added a touch of vintage glamour to Rihanna's modern and edgy outfit.
Dita Von Teese
Burlesque dancer and fashion icon Dita Von Teese is a huge fan of vintage and antique jewellery. She often wears pieces from the Art Deco and Edwardian eras, and is particularly fond of diamond and platinum jewellery. Her collection includes antique necklaces, earrings and bracelets, which she often pairs with her glamorous retro-style outfits. One of Dita's most iconic antique jewellery pieces is her vintage Cartier panther bracelet, which she wears regularly. The bracelet is from the 1940s and features a panther design, with black enamel spots, emerald eyes and a diamond collar. The bracelet's design is both elegant and fierce, making it a perfect complement to Dita's bold and glamorous style.
Dita also owns an antique diamond fringe necklace from the Art Deco period. The necklace features a fringe of diamond chains that cascade down from a central diamond pendant. The necklace's geometric design and sparkling diamonds add a touch of vintage glamour to Dita's outfits.
Kate Middleton
The Duchess of Cambridge, is known for her impeccable sense of style and her love for antique jewellery. One of the most famous pieces of antique jewellery that she has worn is the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara.
The Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara is a stunning piece of antique jewellery that was created in 1914 for Queen Mary, the grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II. The tiara features a series of diamond arches, each one supporting a dangling pearl, and is topped with diamond love knots. The tiara is considered one of the most iconic pieces of antique jewellery in the British royal family's collection.
Kate Middleton wore the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara for the first time in 2015, at a diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace. She has since worn the tiara on several occasions, including the annual diplomatic reception in 2016 and a state banquet in honor of the King and Queen of Spain in 2017.
Kate Middleton's choice to wear the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara reflects her love for vintage and antique jewellery. The tiara's intricate design and exquisite craftsmanship make it a perfect fit for Kate's elegant and sophisticated style.
In addition to the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara, Kate Middleton also owns several other pieces of antique jewellery. She has been seen wearing a pair of diamond chandelier earrings, which were reportedly a gift from Prince Charles. She also wore a Victorian diamond and pearl brooch, which belonged to Queen Alexandra, on her wedding day.