The art of adorning one’s hair with jewels had some ravishing moments back in the 15th and 16th centuries. Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Veronese and Velazquez all depicted Renaissance women with precious ornaments in their braids and curls. Now, hair jewellery is having a renaissance of its own with these lustrous embellishments being designed for everyday use.
Pearls are taking a starring role. Some ancient mythologies held that a pearl was formed when lightning struck the sea, the new jewel a repository of elemental power. Pearls, it was thought, illuminated the face of the wearer. Danish jewellery designer Sophie Bille Brahe, known for her contemporary take on pearls and diamonds, found her muse in the Renaissance art movement and created a range of hair pins. She says, ‘I was looking at Botticelli’s Primavera, where the Three Graces have long owing hair adorned with pearls, and also his Portrait of a Young Woman, where the hair is laced with delicate strings of them. I’m so inspired by the stories in these paintings.’
Completedworks founder Anna Jewsbury has also evolved her line of ergonomic jewellery and ceramics to include a range of hair accessories. These include a delicate gold vermeil and freshwater pearl pin that is intriguingly called ‘The Lure of Civilisation’.
Meanwhile, up-and-coming designer Nadia Shelbaya’s Egyptian mother and Danish father are to answer for the tension between decadence and modernism that runs through her work. This plays out in her new foray into hair pins, curvaceous pieces that entwine silver and gold with gemstones, diamonds and freshwater pearls. Meanwhile, creative use of existing jewels can also see them doubling up as hair clips; for example, a simple diamond tennis bracelet, pinned along the hair parting, can add a sparkling touch. §
As originally featured in the May 2020 issue of Wallpaper* (W*254), available to download free here
Left, Poolside Gossip hair barrette in gold vermeil and ceramic; Right, The March of Progress hair pin in gold vermeil, both Completed works
Left, Croissant Grace hair pin in gold and pearls by Sophie Bille Brahe; Right, Kami hair pin in sterling silver and pearl by Nadia Shelbaya at Matches Fashion
INFORMATION
sophiebillebrahe.com
completedworks.com
nadiashelbaya.dk
-
Find yourself at Six Senses Kyoto, the brand's breathtaking Japan debutSix Senses Kyoto opens its doors boasting tranquil, luxurious interiors by Blink Design Group
-
Shigeru Ban’s mini Paper Log House welcomed at The Glass House'Shigeru Ban: The Paper Log House' is shown at The Glass House in New Canaan, USA as the house museum of American architect Philip Johnson plays host to the Japanese architect’s model temporary home concept
-
Artist Mickalene Thomas wrestles with notions of Black beauty, female empowerment and love'Mickalene Thomas: All About Love’, a touring exhibition, considers Black female representation
-
Emerging jewellery designers to get to knowThese independent, new and emerging jewellery designers and brands from New York to Paris are firmly on our radar
-
Jewellery designers share their most precious personal piecesA host of jewellers give us a peek at the jewellery which brings them joy and solace
-
Playing it cool: pearls are having a momentWe've been deep-diving into boutiques around the world to find the very best calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form. It seems jewellers have been busy rethinking pearls, with contemporary (and often affordable) results
-
Eternity rings for the modern coupleEternity rings, whether sleekly minimalist or sprinkled in diamonds, can be a chic and contemporary love token
-
Alternative engagement rings with an edgeAs the sales of engagement rings sky-rocket during lockdown, enjoy our off-kilter curation of edgy and unconventional engagement rings
-
Hair jewellery to covet and collectToday’s hair jewellery is both practical and pretty. We're pinning our hopes on these simple and elegant accessories
-
CryptoPunks come to life on Tiffany & Co pendantsTiffany & Co has partnered with blockchain infrastructure company Chain to create custom pendants and NFTiffs
-
Andreas Kronthaler’s costume jewellery for Vivienne Westwood is fun, flirty and fabulousAndreas Kronthaler’s new jewellery draws on romantic and theatrical motifs
