Pearls are having a moment right now.  But New York Fashion Week Spring 2014 runways haven’t had many pearls. Nicole Miller had interesting layers of pearls, chains and crystal and Zac Posen showed pearl flower button earrings but there had been no real pearl innovation until the Thakoon show on Sunday.

It’s not surprising that the Thakoon show had pearls: he has a relationship with Japanese pearl giant Tasaki, designing modern pearl jewelry under the Thakoon for Tasaki brand.

But the modern touch for Spring 2014 is that Thakoon didn’t show pearl jewelry at all: he showed pearl purses.  Almost every look of his show had a small handbag on a long strand of classic round white pearls.  the strand was long enough to wrap around the neck and be worn bandolier style across the body.  The strand also looked lovely wrapped around the wrist as a strap.

A fresh new way to wear pearls and a serious DIY inspiration, to boot.  I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot of this concept very soon.