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Evening Standard

Entertainment

Joe Bromley

How chunky crystal necklaces became the surprise style hit of the summer

Anna Wintour FKA twigs Kojey Radical (Person) Swarovski

They are as important a part of Anna Wintour’s uniform as her bob and sunglasses: three (or more) thick cut, confectionery-coloured crystal necklaces slung around the collarbone.

These light-catching chains have been her staple for years, looking the part as she heads to One World Trade Center to edit US Vogue, sits front row at fashion shows beside the Queen or perches Centre Court at Wimbledon — as she did in her bling of choice this year.

Anna Wintour, Kim Kardashian and North West (Getty Images)

And while the antique style — Wintour is rumoured to have bought hers for tens of thousands at British jewellers SJ Phillips, “always the highlight of any London trip,” she has said — has largely been passed off as dusty over the past decade, strings of crystals have enjoyed a renaissance this summer, and look set to stay chic throughout September and beyond.

A significant player in the return of the gem-cut choker is Swarovski. The Austrian glass company which, until recently, has been more synonymous with tacky, clear candle stick holders and the crystal-filled staircases of naff cruise ships than anything more desirable, is currently enjoying a comeback. Under the creative direction of fashion stylist Giovanna Engelbert, global creative director as of 2020, the label has entered a light-hearted, electric-hued era with a sleek, green Oxford Street flagship and Bella Hadid as a poster girl.

Sarah Lysander attends the opening of Swarovski Oxford Street on May 11, 2022 (Dave Benett)

Of its new collections, the certified product to swoon for is the Millenia necklace (£500) and its hefty, Wintour-approved octagon cut crystals that come sugary purple, blue, pink and clear. You’ll see them on boys and girls alike: from influencers like Sarah Lysander to singers like Kojey Radical, who wore them in green to accept his shortlist Mercury Prize in July. Not to mention, every fashion editor in between (as you might expect, they are a hit in Vogue House).

Kojey Radical wears Swarovski to accept his shortlist Mercury Prize in July (Kojey Radical)

Think of them as the grown-up version of the bright, plastic-beaded DIY chains that took over TikTok during the pandemic, and the antithesis of fine gold strings with minimalist pendants or pretty pearls that swamp Instagram. Dua Lipa sports a vintage- style, green and clear version with silver hardware, and they look best bold and stacked — for those unafraid of making shimmering statements.

If you want to splash, Roxanne Assoulin makes emerald-shade glass styles for £310, while the ones you can spot on Alexander McQueen’s runways come in at £1,590. After the look for less? Antique shops are your friend — and if you can’t carve the time to go hunting, head to Etsy as a sure starting point.

Doing it differently: FKA Twigs for Viktor and Rolf (FKA Twigs)

There is also room to make this look your own. Take singer FKA Twigs, who chose not to slot into the glossy clean-cut crystal gang, and instead wore a necklace of large, rough amethyst clusters to front her new Viktor and Rolf perfume campaign in June.

Raw or magazine-ready, you will be hard pushed to miss these jewels du jour in the coming weeks: time to start the search for the outfit- elevating ones for you.