A Garden of Inspiration for the Met Gala
Flowers, vines and leaves have been a big part of jewellery design for centuries, whether delicately carved or ostentatiously shaped. Organic motifs are a wonderful way of incorporating the natural world into meaningful pieces that transcend seasons. Many of our designs feature flowers, ferns and foliage to create jewellery moments worth tending to.
As spring springs around us, we invariably feel drawn to nature. Whether we’re off to the countryside, spending more time at the park, hanging out in our gardens or just embracing various ivy-covered roof terraces, the need to be surrounded by flora is real. Another thing that spring brings with it is the Met Gala. We obsess over the who’s who of who’s that and new style icons are born on those iconic Met steps.
This year’s theme and accompanying exhibition is Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, inspired by The Garden of Time by JG Ballard. To honour that, the show ‘will explore notions of rebirth and renewal, using nature as a metaphor for the impermanence of fashion.’ These notions are prevalent in nature, with the spring season a great example of new life blooming and blossoming. Inspired by Fashion’s biggest night we’re shining a spotlight on some of our favourite nature-inspired pieces that, in our humble opinion, are just as red-carpet-worthy.
Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Hemsworth and Bad Bunny were named Anna Wintour’s co-chairs for the 2024 Met Gala, and they’re just some of the celebrities attending. Sabrina Carpenter, Tom Holland, Blake Lively and Timothée Chalemet are all on the guest list, with Met Gala staple, Rihanna, being the most exciting attendee as her looks are nothing short of iconic.
The 2024 dress code, The Garden of Time, focuses on ‘fleeting beauty,’ pointing its glittering guests towards the world of florals for inspiration. So what jewellery could we see them wearing, you may ask? When it comes to the Met Gala, bigger is always better so let’s start off with a bang.
The Moonrise Reef double ring was the showstopping hero piece of our collaboration with bridal designer Hermione de Paula. It boasts a cluster of diamonds and coloured gemstones that climb across two fingers, with five centre gemstones and diamonds, nestled within a further seven diamonds and sapphires with a total weight of over 10 carats, set in 18ct yellow gold. We could see queen Riri wearing it as she shuts down the carpet in an avant-garde creation and flawless makeup.
Another Hermione de Paula piece that would go perfectly with the theme is the Strawberry Moon ring. This enchanting design features pear-shaped sapphires in green, peach, and teal, evoking the colours of a lush English garden. Delicate flowers and buds, set with pink sapphires and white diamonds, symbolise life in full bloom. Metal-cast strawberries add a touch of whimsy, representing the sweetness of love and life. Measuring 5.2mm in width, this charming ring combines an air of all things organic with intricate and tactile craftsmanship. We could see Sabrina wearing it with something pink, tulle and floral.
The Fleur diamond halo engagement ring is iconically on theme and someone like Dua Lipa would make it sparkle even more than it already does. Set in platinum, bead-set diamonds surround the diamond centre forming six delicate petals. Without any diamonds set on the platinum band of the ring, the focal point stays on the stunning floral-inspired setting.
Co-chair Zendaya looks sensational at every function she attends (fact) so we’re excited to see how the Emmy-award-winning actor interprets the theme. She tends to opt for a statement-making outfit and the Verdant wide hoops would tie in perfectly to the rebirth motif. Why not match it with the Fernwave and Bracken rings which (in our minds) she’s stacking on each finger.
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The gentlemen on the guest list all bring their own unique style to proceedings, especially if you think of Timothée and Bad Bunny’s contributions to various red carpets. We imagine one of them adding a bit of starry night sparkle in the form of a signet ring or diamond earring.
Gone are the days where a simple suit will do and the guys have certainly stepped it up in the last few years. who could forget A$AP Rocky’s quilted coat, Pedro Pascal’s short shorts and Jared Leto’s full on cat costume. The Tessailarie wedding band features a cluster of diamonds on a thick gold band that would look spectacular on the pinky finger of a Mr. Tom Holland.
Of course, an invite to the gala is not particularly easy to come by, ours got lost in the post, unfortunately. And whilst we won’t be rubbing shoulders with the Hadids in New York on Fashion’s Big Night Out, the next best thing is to take inspiration from the theme and adorn ourselves with some beautiful organic pieces instead.
