Being able to wear iconic jewelry takes more than just “A Simple Favor.”
Appearing on the cover of Vogue’s September 2024 issue, Blake Lively, 36, is pictured playing an impeccably dressed cat burglar — but she isn’t stealing just any old item.
For the spread — which was directed by Baz Luhrmann and inspired by the film “To Catch a Thief” — the “Gossip Girl” star can be seen sporting an elaborate Cartier necklace that once belonged to none other than Elizabeth Taylor.
The sparkling bib design features eight cushion and oval-shaped faceted Burmese rubies mounted in platinum and 18k gold, and was originally gifted to Taylor in 1957 by her then-husband Mike Todd.
Appearing in Vogue’s September 2024 issue, Blake Lively can be seen “stealing” Elizabeth Taylor’s necklace. Baz Luhrmann /Vogue
The spread, which was directed by Baz Luhrmann, had Lively playing a thief. Baz Luhrmann /Vogue
Baz Luhrmann /Vogue
The 36-year-old actress is pictured stealing the Cartier ruby design that once belonged to Taylor. Baz Luhrmann /Vogue
Baz Luhrmann /Vogue
In one of the movie-like shots, Lively, who is dressed in a Balenciaga catsuit with built-in heels and a Hood London hat and sunglasses, holds the sparkling accessory as she scales a building.
Later on, her alter ego rocks the necklace while at a casino, catching the eye of her photo shoot co-star, Hugh Jackman, as she shines in a golden LaQuan Smith dress.
“I had Elizabeth Taylor’s necklace!” Lively noted in the accompanying Vogue interview, sharing her excitement. “Elizabeth Taylor’s necklace in my hand.”
“So there were these people there that had these rubber covers on their fingers,” she continued. “And I had a foam mat below me in case the necklace fell…”
On Instagram, she further expressed her gratitude, writing, “That’s Elizabeth Taylor’s actual necklace … as a magpie, that was surreal.”
The “Cleopatra” star was originally gifted the piece in 1957 by her then-husband Mike Todd. Bettmann Archive
Home video footage shows Taylor receiving the gift by a pool outside of Monte Carlo.
The necklace also came with matching earrings and a bracelet.
In home video footage, Taylor can be seen modeling the necklace by the pool after she received the accessory — along with its matching earrings and bracelet — at a villa outside of Monte Carlo.
“Since there was no mirror around, I had to look into the water,” the “Cleopatra” star wrote in her book, “My Love Affair with Jewelry,” describing the moment.
“The jewelry was so glorious, rippling red on blue like a painting. I just shrieked with joy, put my arms around Mike’s neck, and pulled him into the pool after me.”
Todd tragically died in a plane crash in 1958, but Taylor kept the piece in her collection, even wearing to a 2001 concert honoring Michael Jackson.
Taylor later wore the shiny accessory in 2001 while attending a concert honoring Michael Jackson. WireImage
The necklace was later auctioned off in 2011, selling for $3.8 million. Christie’s
Following her passing, the dazzling Cartier necklace was auctioned off by Christie’s in 2011, selling for a whopping $3,778,500.
The thief-themed Vogue shoot was a nice switch up for Lively, who has been sporting her fair share of floral designs for her upcoming film, “It Ends With Us,” which premieres this Friday.
And Elizabeth Taylor’s necklace is far from the only historic item the Blake Brown founder has rocked as of late.
On Tuesday night, Lively attended the premiere for the film styled in a 2002 Versace dress originally worn by Britney Spears.