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Put a pin in it—it’s the easiest (and most dazzling) way to add a little flourish to your look. For Adut Akech, that pin just happens to be attached to a diamond Van Cleef Arpels brooch shaped into a garden rose. It’s a classic accessory with a very long history, but its endless versatility makes it incredibly modern. Whether sported on a lapel, a hat brim, or a coat, the brooch is a bauble we can easily get behind. Plus, it needn’t be bedazzled at all. There’s a brooch for every style—from the trend and logo-loving dressers to the minimalists who subscribe to a less-is-more fashion philosophy.
Shop a selection of them here, in our March 2023 edition of Just One Thing.
The Dazzling Brooch
Petal to the Metal
Akech’s celery-colored Attico look comes complete with a matching suit: a bralette, twirly skirt, and pocketed jacket trimmed with black fringe—the latter being fully optional, as displayed here. Her hat is adorned with Van Cleef Arpels’s 18k gold botanical brooch (worn throughout).
Bow Down
The humble ribbon boasts endless styling opportunities—but have you considered tying it around your hair with a lavish diamond-encrusted rose pin? It’s almost too lovely to take.
Opposites Attract
Diamonds and denim are a proven pairing, but Akech ups the effortless ante with jeans, a plain white tank, and a boxy blazer from Stella McCartney. The rips at the knee read like thorns on the Van Cleef rose.
Back in Black
You might have noticed the 1997 on the sleeve of Akech’s tuxedo-like Dolce
Gabbana dress—it’s the year the piece (and the coordinating shirt, leggings, and tie) was first designed before being reissued this season. A novel addition comes by way of the jewelry—alongside the rose brooch are two Van Cleef
Arpels bee brooches buzzing with sapphires, rubies, diamonds, and purple spinels.
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String Theory
The fringe benefits of this Michael Kors Collection dress are apparent—a body in motion is all the more amusing when your dress moves along with you. Since it doesn’t need much else, the decadent brooch is worn like a choker.
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Twist and Shout
Akech tops off an antique-looking organza Erdem dress strewn with pretty petals with a cropped cardigan by Khaite. And on top of all that? The brooch. The whole look is grounded by a slick pair of thigh-high The Attico boots. It’s anything but expected—and that’s precisely why it works.
All Together Now
In a medley of pastel colors, another exercise in brooch-dressing comes courtesy of Ralph Lauren Collection’s V-neck sweater and white button-up and knitted tie in cotton candy pink by Anderson Sheppard—with a kiss from the Van Cleef rose.
Easy Rider
Finally, Akech takes her brooch out for a spin in a full Prada look—a coordinating knitted skirt and cardigan set with delightfully clunky Mary Janes. She accessories with a cloche-esque hat and a shimmery bag by The Attico. It’s proof how far just one brooch can take you!
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MORE BROOCHES
In this story: hair, Johnnie Sapong for Leonor Greyl; makeup, Holly Silius.
