Small Talk
The founder of her eponymous brand, Katherine Parr cares about sustainability in jewellery
Tell us about the new Fashioned by Nature collection.
It’s inspired by Mother Nature: her motifs and colours, as well as her beauty. The principle motif is the wheat sheaf, which is woven throughout the collection and symbolises abundance and fertility. Semiprecious stones in numerous colours including rose and raspberry were intentionally chosen as we move from winter lockdown into the sunlight of a new season.
Why do you take inspiration from travel and ancient cultures?
I try to capture the essence of ancient empires while incorporating a contemporary spin. I like to think I create modern heirlooms. In the past couple of years I’ve been interested in the Egyptian and Persian Empires, and have taken inspiration from pharaohs like Cleopatra.
Why is it important for the jewellery industry to practise sustainability?
It comes down to values and ethics. As artists we are innovators in positions of leadership. What type of world do we want to live in and how can our business and craft contribute to that vision? There are so many unethical practices in the fashion and luxury goods industry. Ethical and sustainable jewellery brands must lead by example and hold people and the planet higher than their profits.
When did you first become interested in philanthropy?
Born and raised in America with a great deal of comfort, I’ve always had an interest in foreign people and places, with a passion for helping the most vulnerable. As a teenager, I helped establish programming for migrant workers at the church in my hometown, and I taught immigrants in an inner city before starting my brand.
Who would you love to see wearing your jewellery?
I have designed for Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan, which was a true honour. It was a queen chess piece-inspired necklace made using recycled gold and ethically-sourced diamonds.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
The Opera Tulle collection has a textured look that elegantly showcases Buccellati’s craftsmanship techniques. “Tulle” is one of the most complex methods in high jewellery and gives pieces an elegant, honeycomblike surface. It takes nearly a month for the goldsmith to bore a gold plate half a millimetre by hand, before adding slices of hard stones or enamel for a pop of colour.
SHARP OBJECTS
Avant-garde jewellery brand El Baz has unveiled a new roster of sparklers, which it calls The Gleam collection. There’s never a mundane moment with this contemporary brand and this latest line is no different. Inspired by nature, these surreal creations shimmer with gemstones that are carefully assembled to conjure up fantastical images of wilting leaves, plump petals and writhing vines.
Spiked earring in white gold set with diamonds by El Baz Jewelry
SECRET KEEPER
Swedish designer Annette Welander combines Scandinavian craftsmanship with geometric design. Urban elegance and modernity take centre stage,
SEASIDE STYLE
Renna Jewels has released a selection of shellinspired pieces, which are handcrafted using various shades of 18-karat gold. “This new collection is largely inspired around the idea of seeking out treasures in our everyday lives, with beauty being in the eye of the beholder,” says Renna Brown-taher, designer of Renna. “The most valuable things we have are our memories and connection with each other. These designs are simply mementoes of those sentiments, meant as tokens of love, vessels of memories and reminders of our connection to the world around us.” Renna’s pieces have already been worn by celebrities including Gigi Hadid and Nicky Hilton. Will you be next? Thread and Shell necklace in rose gold set with diamonds by Renna Jewels unlike the secret single diamond that’s hidden in each piece of jewellery, a Welander signature. 3 Arc Hoop earrings in red gold set with diamonds by Annette Welander