How tiaras went from fairy tale princess to everyday party wear – and the best new designs from Chanel, Chopard, Tiffany & Co and more

Jan 15 , 2020

Chaumet’s Joséphine Aigrette Impériale diadem, with pink sapphire and tsavorite garnets – would you wear it to an office party? Photos: Handouts

Long the preserve of royals and regal weddings, tiaras are suddenly an everyday sight at galas and parties – we survey the best luxury headpiece designs to ensure you stand out from the crowd

A tiara can make any girl feel like a princess, and diamond-studded headpieces have long been the crowning glory of wedding jewellery. But tiaras are now popping up everywhere, from galas and balls to holiday parties.

The history of head ornaments dates back to the ancient Egyptians, where gold headbands were worn by both men and women as signifiers of class and status. The Romans and Greeks were also known to have worn their versions of crowns and tiaras. During medieval times, however, a more conservative approach to dressing meant women often covered their heads and it wasn’t until the Renaissance that women were able to more freely style their hair – and tiaras once again came into fashion.

Chanel’s Blé Maria tiara, part of the new Le Paris Russe De Chanel collection

Celebrity weddings and the social media spotlight on royals from around the world has fulled a resurgence of interest in the ornate head ornament.

Creativity and storytelling influences the way tiaras are conceived. Jewellers capture the magic of precious metals, diamonds and coloured gemstones in a treasured collection of tiaras, taking myriad inspirations – from a Russian love affair to Queen Marie Antoinette’s dying days, or from the four seasons to pearls found on the seabed.

Cindy Chao The Art Jewel’s Leaves Tiara, from the brand’s Four Seasons collection

Leaves Tiara by Cindy Chao The Art Jewel, from the Four Seasons collection, showcases 22 GIA-certified, oval-shaped diamonds and paved round brilliant diamonds, to form an organic-like head ornament inspired by Mother Nature. Drawing from the same source, Mikimoto creates the cultured pearl and diamond headpiece, where feathers come alive in paved diamonds contours with white pearl accents.

A love affair with the Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich made Mademoiselle Chanel’s passion for all things Russian even stronger. The new Le Paris Russe De Chanel collection unveils the Blé Maria tiara, in yellow and white gold, with pink spinels, mandarin garnets, coloured tourmalines and diamonds.

Chaumet’s Josephine Aigrette Imperiale diadem, with fine pearl and diamonds

Held in high esteem for centuries, the over 40-carat diamond tiara by Harry Winston takes on a new interpretation with a convertible design, where the tiara transforms to become a necklace. The design is classic in keeping with Harry Winston high jewellery style.