The return of Bling: More is the new less
Louis XIV was perhaps history’s first “bling king” with his love of all things opulent. His very alias ‘the Sun King’ speaks to bling obsession. The palace of Versailles was bling personified.
Marie Antoinette could very well have been the very first bling princess with her off-the-designer cuff remark “let them eat cake”. But this title might very well suggest ignorance of the role played by Egypt’s Cleopatra.
That was then, this is now, however, and in a rush to claim ownership of bling, many rappers might prefer not to mention Bling showman himself Liberace. Did he not after all add bling to fine dining? Liberace really opened the bling floodgates. Elvis was a bling master of sorts (the velvet capes were definitely some sort of bling attempt). The verdict is still out on P Diddy, Versace definitely understood bling. His world revolved around opulence, over-indulgence and fashion divas rolling out of bed for big bucks. Nancy and Ronald Reagan were from Hollywood, so naturally encouraged bling. First lady Nancy always wore designer threads. Posh and Beckham worked the bling magic until football god, Beckham was declared an honorary black. In between there was Dallas and Dynasty. Big hats, big hair, big steaks and even bigger lifestyles.
Jamaica’s Shabba Ranks took the bling culture to a whole new level and collected the biggest bling title of all The Grammy kid. Deejays became synonymous with bling, the more the merrier. And let’s not leave our very own dancehall queen, Carlene, out of the bling mix with her very own bling style.
Then came the guilty era circa the mid-nineties, when it became infra-dig to show wealth. Fur was no longer fashionable and Hollywood lost some of its sheen. Thankfully this was short-lived. Fur is back, labels are hot items and bling is everywhere. Jeans makers have added fur, suede, diamonds and lace to low-rise. Denim is super chic and super dear. The Sex and the City fashion mavens became walking advertisements for New York’s Fashion Districts. Every handbag was designer, and of course the shoes; Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin.
BMW took control of the Mini and it immediately became a fashion statement. Jamaicans enjoyed the feel of the Escalade. Gucci scarves, handbags, and shoes were once again very visual. Burberry paid out top dollar, changed the look and feel of the Sloane Ranger, and declared Kate Moss the new face, and look. Even Burberry became hot.
Puma and-truth-be told many others, cottoned on to Jamaica, and the black green and gold became the bling colours of the fashion forward. The Japanese have long understood the understated bling culture of Blue Mountain coffee.
Deluxe hotels are fashionable – the pricier the better. Private islands are eagerly snatched up, designer cell phones keep us all somewhat available, and private planes have become the only way to jet away.
The French no longer turn up their collective noses as Busta Rhymes sings Pass the Courvoisier. The North American bling posse keeps them in jobs .VSOP is hot again. Champagne, P Diddy’s favourite mouthwash, appeared at Cannes in super sexy split size bottles. Bling is back.
The Hilton sisters flaunt their wealth, Lagerfeld has kept the weight off and the wait list gets longer for a Lulu Guinness handbag.
Beenie Man bought more platinum bling and retired the Jacob watch and at least one Hummer. Sean Paul collected his own big bling wearing ample bling.
Bling is back. More is the new less, so go ahead and flash labels this month.
It’s also, by the way, Carnival season – the biggest bling bashment of them all.
