Imelda Marcos starts recycling her trinkets
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Imelda Marcos, once one of the world's most conspicuous consumers, yesterday launched a jewellery line that she described as "both worthless and priceless". It is unlikely to unduly dent the sales of either Tiffany or Cartier.
The 77-year-old widow of the late Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos has lent her name to "The Imelda Collection". It includes earrings, necklaces, brooches, pins, combs and cuff links.
Many of the items have been recycled from things Marcos picked up on her travels, while others are fashioned from items the government failed to seize after the family's fall from power. Their prices, however, are not for ordinary Filipinos. A hairpin made of olive jade, freshwater pearls, antique French glass, Austrian crystals and woven glass beads with white, gold-plated chain was priced at 5,800 Philippines pesos (£61), about half a month's salary for an office employee. A necklace made from a vintage brooch, glass beads, cat's-eye gemstone, freshwater pearls, orange calcite and ribbons cost 15,600 Philippines pesos (£165).
Mrs Marcos was notorious for her shopping sprees abroad. Following her husband's fall in 1986, she was found to have collected 1,220 pairs of size-8 shoes.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments