Jennifer Tilly Reveals the "Iconic" History Behind the Necklace in Her RHOBH Season 14 Photo
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills friend's jaw-dropping jewelry has a distinct back story.
Jennifer Tilly just joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast as a friend for Season 14, and of course, she looks absolutely stunning in the Hollywood glam-style cast photo. Naturally, Sutton Stracke's longtime BFF and fellow fashion lover had to pull out all the style stops for the photo, including wearing a piece of jewelry with a storied history.
On October 27, Jennifer reposted Instagram Stories from other accounts that revealed the necklace was designed by Fulco di Verdura for Paul Flato in 1935. The dazzling piece features aquamarine diamonds and rubies and a belt-like design with red ruby buckles.
According to Town & Country magazine, who interviewed Jennifer in 2019 following her pricey purchase, the iconic necklace is "a landmark in jewelry history."
"Originally commissioned by Cole Porter for his wife Linda Lee Porter, they bequeathed the necklace to Fred Astaire’s daughter Ava," the outlet revealed. "It has also been owned by New York’s Fred Leighton, and most recently by dealer Lee Siegelson. It was Siegelson who sold it to Tilly."
Jennifer told the magazine she had her eye on the necklace for "about 20 years" and was over the moon to finally make the purchase. “I love Flato and this is one of the most beautiful pieces he ever created, a truly iconic work of art," she shared.
The Bride of Chucky actress added, “When I first tried it on I was stunned at how beautiful it was in person. It has all the insouciance and wit of a Cole Porter song,” Jennifer told the outlet. “The fact that it’s made with semi-precious stones, aquamarines and accented with rubies, gives it a sort of careless throwaway glamour. The unusual color combination along with the trompe l’oiel wrapped belt design is a masterpiece of understated sophistication."
Siegelson was thrilled to sell the necklace — which was also featured in Vogue in 1944 — to Jennifer. “I am so pleased to have this great icon of American Hollywood jewelry returning to a star," he told the magazine.
Jennifer Tilly joins RHOBH for Season 14
Considering Jennifer's connoisseurship of all things glamour, we can't wait to see what she brings to RHOBH Season 14, which premieres on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 8/7c on Bravo.
According to a press release, Jennifer "is brought into the fold by close friend Sutton. Always larger than life, she brings a much-needed levity to the friend group."
Jennifer joins cast members Sutton, Kyle Richards, Erika Jayne, Dorit Kemsley, Garcelle Beauvais, and Bozoma Saint John, as well as fellow friend Kathy Hilton.
The press release for the new season also adds that Camille Grammar and Faye Resnick will make cameos and award-winning interior designer Martyn Bullard will also appear in the season.
Press play on the video above to get a taste of what's to come on Season 14 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
