David Gest made a name for himself in the UK on I’m a Celebrity, Get me out of Here! And aside from his bizarre story telling and receding hairline, it was his love of jewellery that stood out – particularly his diamond encrusted crucifix. The fact he was once married to Liza Minelli says it all. Apparently, their wedding gift list was not placed at the usual high street stores, but the world’s most famous jewellery shop – Tiffany.
Male style icons wear jewellery
David Gest may not exactly be style icons when it comes to jewellery or fashion, but David Beckham has led the way. More lads than ever are buying jewellery for themselves according to a recent study and the experts are putting this jewellery craze down to celebrity. More men are influenced by famous ‘Kings of Bling’ such as rappers 50 Cent and P Diddy, and of course David Beckham himself.
Sales of jewellery have increased since 1998 and it is now a multi-million pound business. The study showed that more men are buying jewellery as an impulse buy, and the kinds of jewellery they opt for is silver, platinum and white gold over the more traditional yellow gold. Diamonds are also a big hitter in the jewellery stakes for men – once more Becks is particularly famous for his love of diamond jewellery.
Fashion, football and jewellery
And as the big stars show off their jewellery and bling, consumers are following in their footsteps. David Beckham is no stranger to courting the world of fashion and getting away with styles that would be laughed out of town if sported by anyone else but the famous footballer. As well as his love of jewellery, he has in his time worn a sarong and nail polish. But when Beckham wore expensive diamond watches and jewellery, he changed the idea of manhood and has been dubbed a thoroughly modern man. Perhaps no other man could get away with scoring an away goal three minutes before time, whilst looking particularly fetching in jewellery.
Many British men live in fear of being less masculine, but David Beckham managed to combine the two obsessions of the West – football and fashion – and become one of the most famous and richest men on the planet. If Beckham wears jewellery, its okay for men to wear jewellery – he sets the trends.