High jewellery takes on a fluid flexibility in the hands of Mateo New York

Mateo’s new high jewellery collection imbues gold, diamonds and pearl with a delicate buoyancy

Mateo necklace and earrings
(Image credit: Courtesy of Mateo)
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‘I believe high jewellery is wearable art, first and foremost,’ says founder of Mateo New York, Matthew Harris. ‘So it was important for me to make a visually stimulating collection, one that not only looks amazing on a woman but also just moves beautifully. Because each piece was handmade, we were able to achieve this delicate mobility in many of the pieces such as the Pearl Spiral Earrings which won Best in Pearls at the Couture show in Las Vegas, this past June.’

gold necklace by Mateo New York

(Image credit: Courtesy of Mateo)

It is a fluidity encapsulated in the pieces which are imbued with a delicate buoyancy, making precious materials appear almost flexible forms. Crafted in New York from 18ct gold, brilliant diamonds and pearls, the pieces tease diamonds into sensual waves and coil ringlets of gold into clean spirals embracing the neck.

‘I treated this collection as how a première seamstress would treat a couture gown at an atelier,’ the jewellery designer adds. ‘My work is often inspired by minimalism, with an aesthetic of simplicity. This collection is just an elevated extension of our brand's DNA. I just truly wanted to enter a realm of fantasy and exuberance.’

gold ring with pearl

(Image credit: Courtesy of Mateo)

The pieces build on Mateo’s signature design codes, inspired by the brand’s philosophy of creating simple pieces to wear every day. ‘It was super difficult to stick to our signature design codes. The challenge was how to merge fantasy and art with simplicity and wearability,’ Harris says. ‘Working in the high jewellery world has its challenges. One was finding the right team of skilled and experienced craftsmen. Like couture, many of these skilled craftsmen and women are no longer around in great abundance. After searching nonstop, I am proud to have a beautiful team and expert craftsmen who have been making jewellery for over 40 years.

gold earrings

(Image credit: Courtesy of Mateo)

‘It has always been a dream of mine to create a high jewellery collection, ever since I was a child growing up in Jamaica. I remember reading books and watching videos of French High Jewellery houses in the Place Vendôme. So it is an honour and a privilege to now be able to create this collection.’

diamond ring

(Image credit: Courtesy of Mateo)

silver earrings

(Image credit: Courtesy of Mateo)

pearl earrings

(Image credit: Courtesy of Mateo)

gold earrings 2

(Image credit: Courtesy of Mateo)

INFORMATION

mateonewyork.com

Hannah Silver

Hannah Silver is the Art, Culture, Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper*. Since joining in 2019, she has overseen offbeat art trends and conducted in-depth profiles, as well as writing and commissioning extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury. She enjoys travelling, visiting artists' studios and viewing exhibitions around the world, and has interviewed artists and designers including Maggi Hambling, William Kentridge, Jonathan Anderson, Chantal Joffe, Lubaina Himid, Tilda Swinton and Mickalene Thomas.

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