While visiting the Lido in Venice, Kendall Jenner made a subtle but significant fashion statement by wearing rare, artist-made earrings. The pieces, created by the legendary Alexander Calder, were acquired through London gallerist Guinness following a request from Jenner's stylist, Dani Michelle.
The rare Alexander Calder earrings spotted on the Lido
Kendall Jenner’s recent appearance on the Lido was a masterclass in understated luxury. Dressed in a smoke-gray, bell-sleeved Vivienne Westwood dress and carrying a woven Maison Ola basket bag, the model opted for a look that leaned into her established, minimalist aesthetic. However, the true centerpiece of the ensemble was a pair of abstract silver earrings that served as miniature works of art.
According to the report, these were not mere accessories but highly collectible pieces by the American artist Alexander Calder. The acquisition process was a complex journey, involving the Calder Foundation, a New York collector, and Jenner’s stylist Dani Michelle, before the pieces eventually landed at the gallery of London-based gallerist Guinness. While the earrings were a subtle addition to her outfit, they represented a significant intersection of high fashion and fine art.
A nod to Peggy Guggenheim’s Venetian legacy
The choice of jewelry and location suggests a deep appreciation for art history. By wearing Calder in Venice, Jenner echoed the footsteps of the legendary art-world figure Peggy Guggenheim, who was both a champion of Calder and an enthusiastic wearer of his jewelry. The report notes that Guggenheim famously wore one Calder earring and one piece by a Surrealist pioneer when she opened her New York gallery, Art of This Century, in 1942.
This connection to the past extended to Jenner's other accessories; she was also seen wearing dramatically flared pointed sunglasses that recreated Guggenheim’s iconic shades. While Guinness noted that the sunglasses actually garnered more immediate attention than the earrings, for those in the know, the Calder pieces were the true highlight of the trip. This blend of high fashion and historical homage places Jenner's style within a lineage of sophisticated art collectors rather than just trend followers.
Why Guinness found these specific pieces so hard to part with
For collectors, Calder’s jewelry is part of an exclusive "little club." Unlike much contemporary fine jewelry that relies on a goldsmith to execute a designer's vision, Calder’s pieces were physically "touched by the artist." Guinness explained that because Calder fashioned these items himself using materials like silver wire, they possess a unique, hand-wrought quality that is increasingly rare.
The scarcity of these items is a major factor in their allure. As Guinness explained, earrings and rings made by Calder are particularly difficult to find within his body of work. While Jenner is already a known collector of works by artists like James Turrell and Tracey Emin, this purchase highlights her specific interest in the "deeply unconventional" nature of Calder's work,which favored bold spirals and calligraphic lines over traditional diamonds and precious stones.
Will Kendall Jenner pivot to Anish Kapoor or Lucio Fontana next?
While the Calder earrings are a significant acquisition , they may only be the beginning of a new chapter in Jenner's collecting habits. The report suggests that Guinness already has potential future pieces in mind for the model , ranging from minimalist statement pieces by Anish Kapoor to vintage weraable art by the Argentine-Italian sculptor Lucio Fontana.
There are also questions regarding how this trend might expand beyond the current circle of collectors. Will we see a broader movement of younger generations discovering these lesser-known artist-made jewelry lines? Furthermore, with the mention of potentially seeing Jacob Elordi in a Calder pin, the industry is watching to see if these sculptural, unconventional pieces will move from the niche art world into the mainstream celebrity wardrobe.
Comments 0