This season, the designer accessory on many holiday wish lists – as well as the wrists of Victoria Beckham, Cameron Diaz and stylist Rachel Zoe – isn’t an “it” bag or a pair of gold hoops; it’s something a little less ladylike. Specifically, a chunky bracelet with protruding studs that, at least on first glance, wouldn’t seem out of place at a Clash concert or even attached to a leash.
These luxury dog collars are the rebel yell of choice this season for haute hellions everywhere.
The Collier de Chien from Hermès, for example, was originally introduced as a belt in 1927. (The design was inspired by pet accessories, a Hermès’ speciality during that era.) A bracelet version, with metal studs on leather, was launched in the 1970s. That statement cuff has snowballed in popularity over the past couple of years, and as a result Hermès has expanded its range beyond just silver or gold studs on calfskin (£810) and more exotic skins (starting at £1,360) to include extra-luxe versions, several of which, such as a white gold iteration covered in 3,701 pavé diamonds, have been showcased for the past few weeks in New York as part of a collection of the company’s most exceptional jewellery.