MALE LEADS IN MUSIC, MOVIES, SPORTS + MORE HEART PEARLS
by Dan Scott
Some say it started with Harry Styles at the 2019 Met Gala wearing a pearl choker. Vogue, Harpers, Cosmo, GQ, and any fashion blogger who ever posted on IG covered it. Suddenly every young girl (and a slew of guys) wanted the Styles pearl look. That one showing was nothing less than a spark to the flame.
Others think the man pearl-mania is due to major fashion stylists, like Hollywood's in-demand, Law Roach placing pearls on male clients.
Still others credit major fashion houses, like Chanel, who already dress male stars like Pharrell Williams in their (male size adjusted ) haute couture tweed jacket, so adding a few dangles of Chanel pearls makes a lot sense, I suppose.
No matter who may be properly credited for this fashion surprise, the most 'manly men' (and a lot that wouldn't fit that slang) are fast to create their own pearl jewelry, or wear a brand they like. now that people like Machine Gun Kelly are regulars to the once female-only strand.
When looking at men in pearls, don't be surprised if some lace, perhaps feathers or at least a lot of pink shades are involved too.
Pharrell Williams may not be seen in stilettos (yet) but he has walked proudly in a Chanel haute couture signature tweed jacket (with alterations) complete with a Chanel pearl pin (circa 1935) and four dripping strains of Chanel resort, opera and legacy-line pearls. Photo:Remian Liers
Machine Gun Kelly, Emo Status, Jaden Smith + Pearls
Wearing head-to-toe hot pink may have gotten Machine Gun Kelly and his self-professed 'emo boy' style to keep his emo-status, but MGK's now aged MTV Awards pearl necklace is still one of the most searched images. Now, the 31 year old star. confesses his single strand pearl necklace has a sterling silver feature - it doubles as a thick nose ring piercing, and a 'Prince Albert' for our more alternative readers. (Left) Just another MGK night out. (Right) The locked-in time tatted-up, pink-clad, pearl wearing MGK at the MTV Awards. Photos: Robert Larson, Getty (respectfully) Graphics: Luxe Licensing, LLC
Nearly every Will Smith interview shows the "still in the news for shouting at Chris Rock" blockbuster movie father also showing the slightest cringe when discussing his son, Jaden Smith's style.
Known to be pretty in pink, as well as a rainbow of other colors, Jaden Smith likes to keep his jewelry mostly colorless, or pearly white. While the performance artist and designer likes his solid gold and diamond drip, when it comes to chokers, necklaces and rings, Jaden is a pearl boy. Photos: Jules Freila (left) Getty Images (right)
"I don't take them off"
The performance artist who raised many an eye brow in his homeland of England, quickly did the same in the US and the world. Harry Styles' handsome looks, silky vocals and smooth dance moves align to his more female nod to low-cut V-neck tops, or shirtless displays where only one necklace has been featured of late... Now know as 'Styles' pearls" some people are born with a name that says it all. Some say, Styles is the market maker for masculine pearls since his Met Gala red carpet walk in 2019.
Photos: Henry Fellows, Getty & Rob Nussie for LDBA, LTD
Pearls in culture; not cultured pearls
According to Harry Styles stylist, he demands pearls but "only from Myanmar and the Philippines," shunning even the most expensive cultured pearl. Word has it he will be creating his own non-binary pearl jewelry line (although that line will be offered in cultured white and black pearls). The yet-to-be-named unisex cultured pearl collection has a targeted test launch in the UK by early 2023 with roll-out plans to North America later that year. The world waits as Styles makes new styles. Photo sequence: Roberto Rila, Milk Studios
"My fav gemstone is a pearl."
Taking it to the street, famed rapper A$AP Rocky likes to soften his hard-edged lyrics and rap beats with warm hues of pink, creams and off-whites, as in pearls. Necklaces, multiple stands of necklaces, middle finger pearl rings, ring-finger pearl rings, pinky pearls, you name it. He won't wear pearl earrings though, "Dats wacked!" is exactly what A$AP typed on his recent IG post, the same text thread from A$AP: "Yo a pearl toe ring be FIRE" Translation: He dislikes any form of pearl earring on himself, but would really like to wear a pearl toe ring (in his Gucci slides, probably). Photo: Leslie Price, Inc. (left) Getty Images (right)