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Choker Necklaces Research Paper

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Choker necklaces are a current trend, but they’ve been around for a long time. Gathering popularity from the necks of Egyptian Royalty circa 60 B.C., European Prostitutes in the 1800s, and Movie Stars of the 1990s, choker necklaces have made their way through many cultures and decades of fashion. Within the past few years, chokers have made a noticeable comeback in the fashion world. Mainly in teens and young adults who follow pop culture, chokers are seen on various people. This trend first came back to the radar, seemingly at runway shows, after a dwindle in their popularity since the 90s.

At the Spring/ Summer New York Fashion Week debuted chokers from many major brands including Gucci, Dior, Chanel, and many more. This staple piece…show more content…
This accessory “in ancient times, was thought to give a woman power” as said by Yvonne Markowitz, the Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan Curator Emerita of Jewelry Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston, to the National Jeweler online.
Throughout the French Revolution, women wore red ribbons around their necks as a tribute to those taken to the guillotine. This solidarity trend spread from France to England when the use of the guillotine was common. To further its popularity, the ribbon began to be tied at the back, or crossed into an X as more of a fashion statement. Also, women began to add cameos or jewels to the ribbons.
According to The National Jeweler online, by the 1800’s, the choker had gathered multiple meanings in Europe. A black ribbon around the neck was generally used to identify prostitutes. Also during this time, painter Edgar Degas, painted ballerinas wearing black ribbons. His choice in subject has been debated to elongate the necks of his subjects but also, that it was in reference to prostitution. The argument for Degas using the ribbons to comment on the popularity of ballerina lifestyle of this time period. Ballerinas were often from working class families who were often taken advantage of financially and physically to advance their careers. This began the provocative outlook sometimes associated with wearing
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