The return of jewelled hairpieces, boasting fans like Lisa from Blackpink and Megan Thee StallionElaborately jewelled hair adornments are deeply rooted in Asian cultural heritage – from the court ladies of the Qing dynasty and the geishas of Japan, to bridal traditions across Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Beyond the tiaras of European aristocrats and the silver and tortoiseshell hair combs of the Edwardians – who loved voluminous hairstyles – such jewelled adornments played a less central role in the West.This was an often-missed opportunity to enhance an outfit for a party or gala until we started noticing rappers like Megan Thee Stallion, and actresses Michaela Coel and Teyana Taylor dazzling on the red carpet in elaborate hairpieces. At the Golden Globes in January, Zoë Kravitz wore bespoke diamond hairpins by London jeweller Jessica McCormack. And on the catwalk, Simone Rocha has added tiara-style headbands and sweet rose or pearl barrettes to her models’ hair to heighten the edgy feminine charm of her collections.Dior Haute Joalliere’s Diorissima Collection. Photo: HandoutNow the luxury houses are waking up to the idea that hair ornaments provide another prospect to explore with precious jewels. Last year, Claire Choisne created stylishly elegant diamond hair jewels in Boucheron’s Histoire de Style series based on the house’s heritage, notably stems of thistle and ivy for her Untamed Nature collection. This summer, Victoire de Castellane at Dior has come up with some ravishingly pretty clips, some of which transform to brooches, in her latest Diorissima collection. The designs include dreamy sprays of flowers, a Georgian-style fringe of brilliant-cut and pear-shaped diamonds, and a cascade of flower heads in pink sapphires and diamonds. There are jewelled headbands and a suite of matching necklaces and earrings to complete the various looks.Megan Thee Stallion was regal in hair jewels at last year’s Met Gala in New York. Photo: GC ImagesTransformability adds to the appeal of these jewels. At Chaumet, diamond sprays, pink sapphire and diamond flower clips, and a yellow diamond bumblebee, all designed to be pinned in the hair, can also be worn as brooches. Such transformability has historical roots at Chaumet, Cartier and Garrard in London, whose diamond tiaras – worn at court – could also be converted into marginally more practical necklaces. Today, Cartier’s new Le Choeur des Pierres high jewellery collection includes Pyra – its orange and white pear-shaped diamonds set on stems rising above the ear – which has the versatility to be worn as an earring, brooch or hair jewel.Zoë Kravitz at the Golden Globes. Photo: Penske Media/Getty ImagesVan Cleef & Arpels’ new Fascinating Egypt high jewellery collection – with ideas rooted in the archaeological discoveries of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, Elizabeth Taylor’s performance as Cleopatra, and the art deco era’s obsession with Egypt’s geometric aesthetic – includes a series of hard-stone and precious gem clips that resemble fragments of discoveries in Tutankhamun’s tomb, and can also be worn in the hair.In the contemporary jewellery world, designers like Ellis Mhairi Cameron – whose versatile gold and diamond designs draw on the kilt pins symbolic of her Scottish heritage – and Sarah Emilie Müllertz of Kinraden in Denmark are creating head-turning single and double-prong hairpins that share that multipurpose role. “I find it fascinating to work with hairpins and hair adornment in general, and it is definitely an area I would love to explore further,” Müllertz says. Her silver Floris double-pronged pin can be worn both in the hair or on a chunky knit sweater. “I really appreciate that dual functionality within the piece and the versatility it brings to the style,” she adds.Simone Rocha fall/winter 2026. Photo: Handout