The Pearls Come Full Circle
Friday, November 28, 2008 at 9:33 AM 
Photo courtesy of PRNewsFoto/NEWSWEEK
In 1996, jewelry designer Carolee Friedlander purchased faux pearl clip earrings and a necklace at a Sotheby's auction. But these weren't just any pearls - they had belonged to former First Lady and style icon, Jacqueline Kennedy. At the time, the designer said she planned to produce a special line of jewelry inspired by the pieces. "Jackie loved pearls and we can all relate to that," Friedlander said. It was surely of great delight then, when Carolee staffers realized our future First Lady Mrs. O was a fan of Carolee pearls herself. They first noticed she was wearing the 16mm single strand of Carolee pearls when they saw her profile shot in the February 25th issue of Newsweek. How could they be sure? They could see the signature Carolee heart clasp at the nape of Mrs. O's neck. Mrs. O has since been seen wearing the same strand of Carolee pearls on multiple occasions, notably paired with the chic purple Maria Pinto dress she wore when it was announced that Mr. O had won the Presidential nomination for the Democratic Party in June. 
Photo used with kind permission from Flickr photographer kayakbiker2000
From Jackie to Carolee and now to Mrs. O - we love when life comes full circle. Carolee has now begun to call the 16mm strand the "Michelle Pearls". The necklace retails for $50, and can purchased at Carolee.com.
Photo used with kind permission from Carolee
Reader Comments (12)
The pearls look great! Although her expression on the Newsweek cover looks like she has been trying to hold that smile for ONE millisecond too long... :P We all know how that goes!
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/
thanks. i am so excited that the strand is affordable. i have some pearls my mom gave me so i will keep rocking them with mrs. o in mind.
naming the strand after michelle is a nice gesture. i too am pleasantly surprised that they're so affordable.
Wow affordable and beautiful. I love her!
I love that she wears $50 pearls as easily as she wears the finest designers. Nothing pretentious about her, and these kids can sense it too. The video of the Obama's visit to the school is just heart warming, they went wild!
http://www.obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=114
What great provenance ! And now Mrs. O creates her own.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE pearls, i wear them everyday to every outfit, and the day she wore that purple Mario Pinto sheath with the perfect pearls to go was the day the deal of Mrs O as a fashion icon was sealed!
I LOVE HER, (I THINK A LITTLE TOO MUCH!!)
I love a strand of pearls. They seem so elegant and sophisticated. However, I don't own a strand. I may have to change that!
Once again, I am so impressed by Mrs. O's sensibility when it comes to style. Wearing high-end designers with discount pieces are what I have always loved to do, and I admire her for that, as well.
Here is another variation from Banana Republic $49, although why wouldn't you just get the Michelle strand at $50 a bargain!
http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=33425&pid=619796&scid=619796012
Oh, if the link does not work, it's called Large Beaded Necklace in the color pearl. also comes in black.
Love Michelle Obama's classic, chunky pearls. Nothing can be as versatile in finishing off a look! The connection to Jackie O is so much fun. I love how Mrs. O brings classic to our attention, with a little bit of her own twist.