Taking inspiration from the Roaring Twenties, the decade of flappers, short hemlines and opulent jewellery, tassels are making a comeback in a big way. A number of renowned jewellers have released necklaces and earrings incorporating these fun-to-wear adornments, transforming a vintage accessory into a 21st century must-have.
Tiffany & Co recently designed the jewels for Baz Luhrman's film 'The Great Gatsby', set in the decades when tassels were high fashion, and many of its latest launches have a 1920s twist. From The Great Gatsby collection - inspired by the film - is a Pearl Tassel necklace made with freshwater cultured pearls amd sparkling diamonds, while the new Zeigfeld collection - Tiffany's second Gatsby-inspired range of jewels - includes a Black Onyx Tassel necklace, made with strings of black onyx beads.
Garrard has released a trio of tassel necklaces as part of its new Entanglement collection, each of which features a delicate tassel made from deep-green emeralds, bright red rubies or creamy pearls, above which sits the diamond-encrusted Entanglement motif. Cartier's tassel necklace and bracelet from the Agafe collection have a similarly elegant feel, combining diamonds and creamy pearls, while Fabergé's new Les Danses Fantasques collection includes a fabulous pair of diamond and emerald earrings, with strings of emerald beads strung together to create a cascading waterfall of tassels.
Van Cleef & Arpels has taken the tassel and created something completely new as part of its Pierres de Caractère Variations high jewellery collection, launched at Paris Couture Week. The Precious Light earrings shine bright with emerald cut fancy vivid orange yellow diamonds, which can be removed to reveal a gorgeous pair of diamond studs, while the one-of-a-kind Zip Elegance necklace - which can also be worn as a bracelet - has a zip-style chain adorned with red coral and onyx beads, cultured pearls and round diamonds, which flows into a large pearl tassel.
