QVC Brings Jackie Kennedy’s Style to the Masses
John F. Kennedy once described his wife Jackie’s style as “fey.” What does it mean to be fey? According to the dictionary “fey” means to possess an “otherworldly, magical, or fairy like aspect or quality” and one would have to agree that Jackie’s style was indeed magical.
Jacqueline Kennedy in her trademark triple strand pearls designed by Coco Chanel, given to her by her mother
The proof is some forty years after her one thousand days in the White House, a line of Jacqueline Kennedy “reproductions” is selling like hotcakes on QVC.
In 1996 her some of her jewelry, art and furniture were sold at auction at Sotheby’s. Her collection of jewelry included costume pieces from Chanel (pearls), Elsa Schiaparelli (the morning mist bracelet, earrings and brooch in the QVC collection), plus pieces JFK bought for her at Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels.
In her time as First Lady she also received some beautiful jewelry from various heads of state as “gifts.” One beautiful piece she received from the Queen of England was a reproduction of a bracelet that Henry the Eight gave to his third wife Jane Seymour. A replica of this piece is now in the QVC collection.
Jacqueline Kennedy Circle Bracelet was a gift from JFK
So how did some of Jackie’s treasures come to be reproduced and now accessible to all?
The Kennedy family agreed to work with jeweler Camrose and Kross a few years ago to create replicas of some of Jackie’s pieces. Camrose & Kross set about choosing a selection of brooches, earrings, watches, rings and pendants that were Bouvier family heirlooms or gifts from JFK and others.
The pieces were sold by Camrose & Kross as well as by the JFK museum gift shop and website. QVC then picked up the line and began selling it on their shopping network.
Jackie's debutante ball earrings were family heirlooms
Replicas of some of Jackie’s handbags and sunglasses have been added to show additional elements of her style. On the Kennedy library website, you can see the individual jewelry pieces along with the story of how the piece came to be in Jackie’s collection.
Some of the pieces have a romantic history, as they were gifts from JFK. One such piece is the Circle Bracelet, give to Jackie by JFK after the birth of Caroline Kennedy, signifying how their marriage had come full circle with a new addition.
Jackie's Cartier Tank Watch
Another signature piece of Jackie’s collection was a Cartier Tank Watch, which she is seen wearing in this 1964 photo (still in mourning for her husband and dressed in black). The reproduction watch made by Seiko is thousands of dollars less than the real deal.
Last month, the New York Times Style section has an article of the style of First Ladies today including Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. Even though both women are style icons for today’s generation, no First Lady has ever come close to replicating, or been more in vogue, than Jackie.
Jackie’s style is ever present and her influence is still felt in fashion today. You can see her influence on France’s First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy today as she has been known to wear pill box hats, brooches and bracelets in her public appearances.
You can read the history behind each piece at the Kennedy library site or on QVC.com.
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