If you watched the latest instalment in the Ocean’s franchise—the all-female Ocean’s 8—then you know might have noticed how big a role fashion played.
Alongside a cast of Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Paulson, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter, Awkwafina, and Anne Hathaway, couture, diamonds and designer pieces played a starring role.
From the couture trotted out for the Met Gala recreation scenes, to electric personal style of the main heist crew (Cate Blanchett’s wardrobe for Lou, consisting of tailored velvet suits, leopard faux furs, and distressed band tees deserves its own movie), everything was researched and executed perfectly.
This meticulousness, of course, extended to the object of the heist itself: jewels.
At the centre of the Ocean’s 8 plot is the ‘Toussaint Necklace.’ Sandra Bullock’s Debbie Ocean concocts a plan to have Anne Hathaway’s Daphne Kluger wear it to the Met Gala, where it will be stolen from her.
But is the necklace—and it’s $150 million value—real? All your questions answered.
Is The Toussaint Necklace Real?
Yes. The necklace did, in fact, exist at one point. It was created in 1931, having been designed by Jacques Cartier for the Maharaja of Nawanagar. Featuring the 136.25-carat ‘Queen of Holland’ diamond, the original was described as a ‘cascade of coloured diamonds’ (although they appeared to be white colourless diamonds in the film, they were actually blue-white diamonds in real life).
Sadly, the necklace no longer exists in its original form. It was dismantled and its diamonds used to create other pieces.
Was It Really That Big?
Believe it or not, it was actually bigger.
According to Harper’s BAZAAR Arabia, the costume department for the film reduced the necklace about 15 to 20 per cent in size so it would fit Anne Hathaway.
As the original necklace was made for a man, it needed to be shrunk a little so it didn’t engulf her.
What Was The One In The Film Made Of?
To appear in the film, Cartier made a fake replica necklace out of zirconium oxides and white gold. The piece was created in Cartier’s Paris workshop and took approximately eight weeks to make. The Cartier team reported used historical photographs, archival drawings and the original necklace plans to get the likeness right.
The replica was then flown from Paris to New York to shoot the film.
How Much Did It Cost?
Although we don’t know how much it was worth in 1931, it’s very possible it would have been worth the $150 million price tag if it existed now.
Why Is It Named The ‘Toussaint’?
It was named after Jeanne Toussaint, Cartier’s creative director in the 20th century.
