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Most Movie Stars Borrow Jewels for the Red Carpet. Not Jennifer Tilly.
“I collect what I love,” says actress Jennifer Tilly. She references a recent auction that sent other jewelry collectors into a frenzy. She resisted. “The pieces were historical but not to my taste.” Reviewing the pieces that have passed the Tilly test—the Paul Flato aquamarine and ruby buckle necklace (worn above), the Boivin starfish brooch—that taste becomes evident. “I like big, sculptural pieces,” she says. She also believes “jewelry has energy. Before you buy anything, try it on. You will feel it.”
Which might explain the other theme that emerges from her jewelry collection. Tilly owns a charm bracelet that belonged to Joan Crawford, a brooch that Eddie Fisher gave Elizabeth Taylor, the Duchess of Windsor’s Cartier minaudière, and a piece from Norma Shearer’s personal collection. (“You know,” Tilly says, “all the actresses in The Women wore their own jewelry.”) “I like things that belonged to famous people, powerful women and movie stars. And often the stories associated with the pieces are about those forging their own way. And I wear it all. It gives me joy and feels like a statement of who I am.”
Tilly’s Paul Flato necklace.
Tilly is an auction buyer, driven by a sense of opportunity and discovery. “It’s a treasure hunt. You see these pieces at a sale and realize you might never see them again. I feel physical pain when I miss out on something I wanted.” She can recount those pangs of regret in detail as she lists the jewels that got away: the Duchess of Windsor’s Cartier Flamingo brooch, Diana Vreeland’s Schlumberger, so much of Liz Taylor’s Bulgari, Marlene Dietrich’s Van Cleef rubies. But she maintains Taylor’s philosophy on jewelry: “She always reminded everyone that she didn’t see her jewelry as trophies. ‘We are only temporary custodians of beauty,’ she said, and I agree. The pieces I have now, I’m just taking care of them.”
This story appears in the February 2025 issue of Town & Country.
Editor-in-Chief Stellene Volandes is a jewelry expert, and the author of Jeweler: Masters and Mavericks of Modern Design (Rizzoli).
When it comes to walking the red carpet, most movie stars rely on borrowed jewels to complete their glamorous looks. However, actress Jennifer Tilly is not one to follow the crowd.
Known for her unique sense of style and bold fashion choices, Tilly prefers to wear her own jewelry to premieres and award shows. Whether it’s a stunning statement necklace or a pair of eye-catching earrings, Tilly always manages to stand out without needing to borrow from high-end designers.
While many celebrities opt for borrowed jewels to add a touch of luxury to their outfits, Tilly’s personal collection of accessories allows her to showcase her individuality and express her personal style on the red carpet.
So next time you see Jennifer Tilly shining bright at a Hollywood event, remember that she’s not just a star on the screen, but also a trendsetter when it comes to her own jewelry choices.
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