Fashion News

The Brooch Is Back

September 2, 2008

Brace yourselves jewelry junkies. The brooch is back! No longer the domain of grandma and your flashy Aunt Ida, the brooch is beaming everywhere from the runway to TV's hit series Mad Men. Throughout history, brooches have been used as fasteners and adornments for clothing. The Greek and Roman empires used them to fasten their togas, Queen Victoria's passion for them spawned a new era of brooch design in the late 1800s, and Art Deco artists made their mark on the look in the 1960s.

But perhaps the most important recent brooch sighting was on would-be first lady, Michelle Obama (a.k.a. the new Jackie Kennedy), during her highly anticipated speech at the Democratic National Convention. If there was brooch buzz before, Obama sent the look into the stratosphere.

No matter your political persuasion, the starburst brooch Obama wore with her turquoise Maria Pinto dress had tongues wagging throughout jewelry land. Who designed it? What is it made out of? Where can I get one? Our sources reveal that it came straight from Mrs. O's jewelry box and was symbolic of Barack's rising sun campaign logo. It is said that she wore it close to her heart to symbolize that her speech was coming straight from the heart.

But you don't have to be married to a presidential candidate to hop on the brooch bandwagon. Much like the pearl strand, the brooch is one of the more versatile and accessible jewelry looks. Dig through your grandma's jewelry box for a vintage piece or shop around for a new, modern interpretation. Pin it on to add flash to your little black dress or throw some sparkle on your office attire. The opportunities are endless (much like the race for the White House).

So do your country proud and 'brooch' the subject in your own fabulous way. Cindy McCain, are you taking notes?

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