The reptilian necklace Urvashi Rautela wore on the Cannes red carpet last night is giving the Internet heebie-jeebies but wait, don't close this page just yet – the Cartier crocodile necklace Urvashi wore with her pink gown is actually an iconic piece. Like many Cartier pieces, it comes with a backstory as fabulous as the necklace itself. The piece that Urvashi wore is made up of two intertwined crocodiles made of gold and set with diamonds and cabochon emeralds. Urvashi Rautela, attending Cannes for the second time, wore the crocodile necklace with a fuschia ruffled gown by Sima Couture.
You can see the necklace in this video Urvashi posted on Instagram:
Unsurprisingly, the Internet didn't get it, with comments about "chipkali" and "girgit." Those creeped out might be interested in the history of the crocodile necklace though – as Forbes tells it, Mexican actress Maria Felix marched into Cartier's Paris boutique in 1975, her pet baby crocodile in tow (it was in an aquarium, not to worry). Ms Felix commissioned a special necklace that would replicate the crocodile's face and features as closely as possible. The original necklace, which can also be taken apart and worn as separate brooches, is part of Cartier's collection of historic jewellery.
In 2018, however, Cartier recreated the crocodile necklace as well as three other companion pieces including a bracelet and ring. The crocodile necklace is said to be among the most expensive in the Cartier range, though no specific price tag is available.
As far as the original necklace goes – only one other person has worn Maria Felix's crocodile piece. Actress Monica Bellucci paired it with a white shirt at, where else, Cannes in 2006 which she attended with then-husband Vincent Cassel.
Quite a story. Meantime, Urvashi Rautela is dismayed by the meme fest her necklace generated, writing in an Instagram Story: "To all members of media, I have sentiments attached with my high-jeweled crocodile masterpiece necklace."
What did you think of Urvashi Rautela's look? Tell us in the comments.