Jewellery is increasingly being given 'art' status as it becomes the focus of major museum exhibitions, such as the current Van Cleef & Arpels show at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Wearable pieces are being elevated too, thanks to a new wave of boutiques offering 'curated' collections. Accessories specialist Valery Demure is taking the latter concept to virtual realms, launching an e-shop featuring the work of a carefully selected group of upcoming jewellery artists.
'To me jewellery is wearable art,' says Demure, who is also constantly concerned with seeking out new accessories design talent. 'I love beautiful design and great craftsmanship combined. It's quite rare, but these are precisely the elements I look for in a new designer.'
Taking the gallery concept a little further, Demure has assembled a guest-list of curators who will each create 'a cabinet of curiosities' from the online shop every two weeks. The first is Yasmin Sewell, trend forecaster and current chief creative consultant at Liberty, London. 'Yasmin is not only poised and chic, she is also funny and smart. Of course, we like that she possesses an innate sense of style and an infectious energy too,' says Demure.
It's easy to see what she means: not only does Sewell's choice of A-Morir's crystal-trimmed Betty eyelash glasses alongside unique earring, bracelet and necklace designs, give some idea of the curiousities to expect, her way of wearing them - hooked onto the neck of her top - effortlessly underlines the whole idea of accessories-as-jewellery-as-art.
Other new designers include Maryam Keyhani, gaining a name for her strong 'neckwear', and the Danish designer Vibe Harsløf, whose neckbrace of gold sticks firmly - and beautifully - to an intrinsic philosophy of 'simple is best'. The designer Smadar-Pola Azriel's Paula Bianco label, meanwhile, creates pieces adhering to Demure's constant search for that magic mix of expert craft and great design: her bracelets of chiffon, stones and gold plate, are a gorgeous mélange of texture and colour.
Star headband from 'The Midnight Girl' collection by the millinery and luxury headwear designer Benoît Missolin
Favourite fashion-designer collaborator, Scott Wilson's studded barrel necklace has a machine-as-art-as-jewellery aesthetic
Eddie Borgo bangle, with trapped gold link chain
New York costume jewellery designer Eddie Borgo's designs will soon be available at the Valery Demure e-shop
'Coeuraline' necklace, who is known for her playful - yet slick and smooth - organic aesthetic
Enamel and smoked crystal earrings. Designers Matthieu Mouton and Nicolas Collet draw influence from the animal and vegetable worlds
'Ball' cuff, in black nickel-plate, embellished with two gold-plated spheres and bound in electric blue, grey and orange chiffon
'Elephant' earrings. The brand works with rare and precious discovered elements
Gold neckbrace. A delicate vision of form and function informs the Danish designer's pieces