by Rosanna Carlucci
Everyone who is “anyone” is there, from the highbrow suits and their cookie cutter wives to their secretary lovers who pretend to be “just friends”. Each of them push into some stiff upper class joint like a bunch of white-collar rats in suits and dresses. The fear and loneliness hide behind each fake laugh and smile. Every glass of champagne seems to make the time pass and the hypocrisy less visible.

And then, from a sea of smoke, a dark haired temptress slithers in through the back door. Her green eyes like two emeralds reflect the jealous glares and wanting stares. Her red lips like two pillows part to reveal a coy grin. She can feel the want and the desire that flows through the room like a current. She knows that every man wants her and every woman wants to be her. Her black dress clings to her curves and pushes all the limits. Around her neck, a glistening gold snake seems to watch guard over his mistress. She slowly makes her way through the crowd, to the sound of sharp whispers and awkward silences…

It seems like the snake has slithered its way back into fashion. For decades the slippery dirt dwellers have adorned the arms and necks of queens, gypsies, hippies and aristocrats. More famously, the Egyptian goddess Cleopatra is often depicted with some kind of snake adornment. Overtime the snake has come to represent all that is powerful, tempting and forbidden.

The metal mesh company, Whiting and Davis, known for their metal mesh handbags and costume jewellery, truly captured the beauty and seduction of the snake in their 1963 “The Jewels of Cleopatra” collection. The timeless and highly collectable pieces are as popular today as they were back then.

More recently, designer Betsey Johnson has recreated this classic in her costume jewellery collection. The white and turquoise snake is the perfect accessory for summer’s little white dress and can be worn both as a belt or a necklace.

*Trivia: Cleopatra was reportedly killed by a poisonous snakebite from a snake that was hidden in a basket of figs.