The spelling of the word "La valliere" can be a bit tricky for non-native speakers of French. It is pronounced as /la valjεr/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The word is composed of two parts: "la" meaning "the" and "vallière" which means "valley". The tricky part comes with the pronunciation of the letter "ll" in the middle of "vallière". In French, "ll" is pronounced as a palatal lateral approximant, which means the tongue is raised towards the hard palate while the sides of the tongue touch the molars.
La vallière refers to a type of ornamental collar popularized in the 17th century. Derived from its namesake, Louise de La Vallière, a French aristocrat and mistress of Louis XIV, this fashion item takes its inspiration from the extravagant neckwear she often wore. La vallière typically consists of a delicate lace or fabric band, adorned with jewels, pearls, or precious stones, which is worn around the neck and cascades down the chest.
These collars were known for their opulence and were often designed to accentuate the décolletage of the wearer. La vallière became a highly sought-after fashion accessory during the Baroque period and continued to be fashionable throughout the 18th century. It was commonly worn by French nobility and other affluent individuals as a symbol of wealth and social status.
The term "La vallière" also refers to a type of necklace that features a pendant or jewel that hangs from the base of the neck, resembling the ornamental collar. This necklace style gained popularity in the late 19th century and remains a classic design today.
In contemporary usage, "La vallière" can also be used more broadly to describe any type of ornate collar or necklace worn around the neck, particularly those with a hanging pendant or centerpiece.
The word "La vallière" is derived from the name of Louise de La Vallière, a mistress of King Louis XIV of France. Louise de La Vallière was a noblewoman who became one of the many mistresses of the king during the 17th century. She was known for her simple and modest style, wearing a ribbon tied around her neck. This type of accessory became popular and subsequently became known as "la vallière" in reference to Louise de La Vallière. The etymology of the word conveys the association of this fashion accessory with her and the influence she had on the style of the time.