At Pearl & Clasp, everyone knows we love pearls, especially the people who eat, sleep, and breathe (not to mention wear!) pearls every day. Want to know a little bit about us? Here’s a profile on a familiar voice – the voice of Pearl & Clasp’s blog, twitter, facebook, and google+ pages. While it’s a little bizarre to interview myself, I did come up with a few questions to help you get to know me. Have any more questions? Feel free to comment here or on our social media accounts, and I’m happy to get back to you.
I’m Carly. My love for writing and my love for fashion began at an early age. As a young girl, I remember sneaking into my mom’s oversize closet to try on her high heels and lipstick, using the upstairs hallway between our bedrooms as a runway in my own private fashion show. As I got a little older, I realized that my love of reading and writing could be paired with my interest in the latest runway fashions in my short stories, essays, and blogs.
While I was always enamored with the latest looks on the hottest runways, I’m the first to admit it took me a while to figure out my own style. I was an awkward teen (and a little nerdy), and didn’t understand the power fashion could hold and the way I could feel when I presented myself the right way. The main tool that helped me find my niche in the fashion world? A simple strand of pearls, resting on my collarbone, gave me the air of confidence I needed to build my own personal style.
It always seemed like my mom’s Tahitian pearls were under lock and key; a beautiful treasure to look at, but not to touch. On those rare occasions that she took them off out of the box were like holidays to my sister and me; we would stand gawking at her as they would shimmer and reflect in the light. I began to see pearls as a rite of passage into womanhood – a symbol of class and sophistication. I got my first real strand of pearls for my 21st birthday, when I was graduating from college, and wore them proudly to my first job interview (I landed the job!), my graduation ceremony, and later, my wedding.
When Pearl & Clasp approached me to write for their blog, I was so excited, and still am to share everything pearl, wedding, and fashion related with the public. Follow us to hear about latest trends for all of your pearl needs.
Where do you wear your pearls?
I wear pearls whenever they go with my outfit, which is often, and I like to mix and match my jewelry. Like, right now, I’m wearing earrings with topaz surrounded by tiny freshwater pearls. I don’t think they need to be saved for special occasions, but I usually save my pearl strand for dinner parties and meetings.
What fashion icons do you admire? Do they wear pearls?
I’m not sure I’ve ever come across a fashion icon that didn’t wear pearls. I love Kate Middleton, I think she’s totally classy and fabulous. I also love Lady Bey (let’s be real, who doesn’t). Both of them have pearls in their repertoire and I love seeing them wear them.
What’s the craziest pearl fashion you’ve ever been tempted to buy?
I’ll be completely honest: I’ve been looking for a pearl dog collar for months, since we brought home our dog. We’re not sure how big she’s going to get, but once we know, I’m getting her a collar that doubles as a pearl necklace.
What’s your secret to caring for pearls?
It’s important that you take off your pearls first and that they’re the last thing you put on before you leave your house. Chemicals like those found in perfumes and hair spray are abrasive and can damage pearls.
Did you ever think of pearls as something that only grandmas wear?
Absolutely not! I was in a sorority in college and our national gemstone is the pearl. We all had pearl necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, and we all wore them every chance we could.
What’s your favorite item sold by Pearl & Clasp?
It’s so hard to pick one! But I love vintage jewelry, so I’d have to pick either the Antique Diamond 12 Strand Pearl Bracelet or the 12 Strand Antique Diamond Pearl Necklace. I think they’d both look stunning with a black cocktail dress. Or a wedding dress.
