I read one of those articles that popped up on my yahoo mail a few months ago...something like "50 Things that are Out of Style" and simple pearls were on the list! I was shocked, especially since pearls are making news in the fashion world with new and edgy designs. With more and more men getting interested in pearl accessories, I think there will be a new come-back. Mikimoto is wise to reach out to this growing market as well as expanding into what the younger crowd wants to wear. Girls seem to like thin layered gold with small accents, like pearls.
On the posted necklace, I love how the "rondels" look like dark metallic bolts and of course, the trademark "M" mixed in! Very trendy. Also, from what I've seen, the men are drawn towards the darker Tahitians in their strands.
I've been asked to re-string my hairdresser's grandmother's pearls for him to wear. He wants them mixed with stone beads strung on leather. I think it's great! Let the pearls live on and flourish.