How a compendium of antique jewellery sparked a gem of an idea

When the Bentley & Skinner Compendium of Jewellery dropped through Paul Smith’s letter box, the graphic layout of the London-based specialist’s Victorian brooch collection caught the designer’s eye. ‘I just thought “Wow, these photos would make a perfect print”’. A collaboration ensued, and the pattern is a high point in Smith’s A/W 2018 collection. Discover how this gem of an idea took shape…

The Diamond Lyre brooch by Bentley & Skinner

Paul Smith was inspired to create a new photographic-printed silk by the Bentley & Skinner Compendium catalogue. The London Victorian-jewellery specialist is also famed as Damien Hirst’s jewellery partner. It was the chief collaborator on Hirst’s ‘For the Love of God’ diamond skull, the largest diamond work to be commissioned since the Crown Jewels.

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Dress featuring Bentley & Skinner silk-blend print by Paul Smith


(Image credit: TBC)

‘Someone once referred to me as a “collector of collections”. I collect everything from stamps to matchboxes, books to bikes. I love collections of things,’ admits Paul Smith. ‘With the Bentley & Skinner Compendium I just loved the mix of colours, shapes and textures in the jewels.’

‘We work to make an aesthetic combination so that the pages of our Compendium are a joy to look at, as well as the individual beauty of the jewels,’ says Mark Evans of Bentley & Skinner.

Rare jewels from Bentley & Skinner’s current Compendium have been translated into a silk-blend print, as seen in Paul Smith’s S/S 2018 womenswear collection

The opal flower brooch from bentley & skinner

(Image credit: TBC)

This brooch is marked by a central diamond surrounded by five opals in diamond clusters and a diamond-set stem. It is a prominent motif in Paul Smith’s new printed silk collection.

Rare jewels from Bentley & Skinner’s current Compendium have been translated into a silk-blend print, as seen in Paul Smith’s S/S 2018 womenswear collection Photography: Aylin Bayhan

shirt by paul smith with bentley & skinner print

(Image credit: TBC)

‘With the Bentley & Skinner Compendium, I just loved the mix of colours, shapes and textures in the jewels,’ says Paul Smith

Rare jewels from Bentley & Skinner’s current Compendium have been translated into a silk-blend print, as seen in Paul Smith’s S/S 2018 womenswear collection. Photography: Aylin Bayhan

The Bentley & Skinner Compendium

(Image credit: TBC)

‘We try to keep to a theme within the pages of our Compendium of Jewellery,’ says Bentley & Skinner’s Mark Evans. ‘We work mainly by way of colours via different stones, such as rubies and emeralds, and we also try to keep consistency in terms of the era in which the pieces were created,’ Mark Evans of Bentley & Skinner

Rare jewels from Bentley & Skinner’s current Compendium have been translated into a silk-blend print, as seen in Paul Smith’s S/S 2018 womenswear collection

Yellow-gold bee brooch by Gaetano Chiavetta

(Image credit: TBC)

Paul Smith’s new silk print features a rich yellow-gold bee brooch by contemporary designer and jewel restorer Gaetano Chiavetta.

Rare jewels from Bentley & Skinner’s current Compendium have been translated into a silk-blend print, as seen in Paul Smith’s S/S 2018 womenswear collection. Photography: Aylin Bayhan

Paul Smith silk shirt

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‘I’ll see something and instantly be able to visualise how it will look as clothing. It could be anything from jewellery to playing cards, to a bowl of fruit, I’ll see it and just think “shirt!” or “holdall!”’ – Paul Smith

Rare jewels from Bentley & Skinner’s current Compendium have been translated into a silk-blend print, as seen in Paul Smith’s S/S 2018 womenswear collection. Photography: Aylin Bayhan

Silk-blend printed dress by Paul Smith

(Image credit: TBC)

‘My wife Pauline and I have been receiving Bentley & Skinner’s very beautiful Compendium for quite some time. Every time it drops through the letterbox I always think that it’s so perfectly created and laid-out’. – Paul Smith

Rare jewels from Bentley & Skinner’s current Compendium have been translated into a silk-blend print, as seen in Paul Smith’s S/S 2018 womenswear collection

Silk-blend print by Paul Smith with Bentley & Skinner

(Image credit: TBC)

‘Without wanting to sound big-headed, in the early days I really was a pioneer of using photographic print on clothing. Over the years it’s become second nature to me.’– Paul Smith

Rare jewels from Bentley & Skinner’s current Compendium have been translated into a silk-blend print, as seen in Paul Smith’s S/S 2018 womenswear collection. Photography: Aylin Bayhan

The diamond catherine wheel brooch bentley and skinner

(Image credit: TBC)

The Victorian pieces in Bentley & Skinner’s antique collection have been translated into photographic prints on silk. This diamond pendant is designed to be also worn as a brooch.

Rare jewels from Bentley & Skinner’s current Compendium have been translated into a silk-blend print, as seen in Paul Smith’s S/S 2018 womenswear collection. Photography: Aylin Bayhan

Diamond Pheasant Brooch from Bentley & Skinner

(Image credit: TBC)

‘The Victorians were very keen on naturalistic jewellery and a lot of our pieces include insect, butterfly and bird motifs. Serpent representations were also very popular.’ – Mark Evans, Bentley & Skinner

Rare jewels from Bentley & Skinner’s current Compendium have been translated into a silk-blend print, as seen in Paul Smith’s S/S 2018 womenswear collection. Photography: Aylin Bayhan

Silk collar shirt by Paul Smith with Bentley & Skinner print

(Image credit: TBC)

‘When it comes to the silk printing process, Paul provides the magic!’ – Mark Evans, Bentley & Skinner

Rare jewels from Bentley & Skinner’s current Compendium have been translated into a silk-blend print, as seen in Paul Smith’s S/S 2018 womenswear collection. Photography: Aylin Bayhan

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