Big gilt clip on earrings were a stalwart of 1980s style and this slightly abstract style pair are classics of the genre. Slightly domed and made in an openwork form, they are lighter than they look, which adds to the comfort factor. It looks like 24k gilding as the colour is a beautiful rich gold colour. Wear with a Breton stripe, a great navy blazer and jeans, and you are all set for Spring. Christian Lacroix was born in the south of France in 1951 and studied historical costume before working as a theatrical costumier. He opened his own haute couture house in 1987 and introduced jewellery and accessories in 1989. Over the next 20 years he created fanciful and intensely hued fashion and accessories. He worked with many of Paris’ most talented paruriers. Soriano Creations and Xavier Loubens amoung many other great talents. His jewellery was always an important and considered part of both his Haute Couture and ready to wear collections. His style was so flamboyant that it was often considered impractical except for the red carpet. This led to the demise of his company in 2009. Today Lacroix specialises in furnishing fabric and stationary both immensely colourful and true to his initial vision. His jewellery continues to be avidly collected and all the more so for being only made for a short time. Many of the pieces, made to compliment his clothes but not overshadow them, are immensely wearable.