Elizabeth Taylor's Jewellery Auction Sparks The New Bling Trend!

Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra

Last night we were glued to our teleboxes watching ‘Elizabeth Taylor: Auction of a Lifetime’. It was Channel 4’s one-off programme that ingeniously tells the life story of the late silver screen goddess via one of her most recognisable features – her bling! Yes those eyebrows, the big ‘do and that heaving bosom may be defining of the Oscar winning actress, but it’s the famous frosting collection that can put a fashion girl in a spin with just a mere mention. 

It can’t be a total coincidence that in the same year that the glamour-puss sadly passes away and has her legendary jewellery collections auctioned off that many other jewellery designers are turning back the clocks to create more traditional costume pieces.  Liz has even inspired a catwalk collection – with Topshop Unique’s photographic shots of her blown onto sweaters and Egyptian jewellery reflecting perhaps her most seminal roll as Cleopatra.

Clockwise from far left: Drop earrings, Miu Miu at Net-A-Porter. Feather brooch, Avalaya. Necklace, Tom Binns at Net-A-Porter. Vintage brooch, Carole Tanenbaum. Earrings, QVC. Ring, Dannijo.

The classic jewellery trend is one we’ve noticed bubbling up for a while. Not only are earrings big fashion business, but in particular Prada’s rose and diamante clip-on earrings from spring/summer’12 are selling like hotcakes (we just can’t get the red colourway for love nor money!). Lady Gaga has waxed lyrical on the wonders of traditional-looking bling – be it major spenny or just from a market – and many of the Grazia fashion team have on the hunt each and every weekend for genuine ‘50s paste necklace and modernising them by wearing over a grey marl tee or white shirt. Not to mention that Susan Caplan’s amazing vintage collection of jewellery has been snapped up by major stores and handfuls of celebrities, too.

Clockwise from top left: Rose earrings, Prada. Pearl necklace, Rodney Holman at Make Me Beautiful. Blue brooch, V&A Museum Shop. Pearl earrings, Butler and Wilson. Amethyst ring, The Hudson Collection at Astley Clarke.

Obviously, there aren't many of us who can afford her geniune collection, but we can certainly get the look! See our top picks above.