It’s quite possible that, barely a fortnight into November, celebrity stylist Kate Young has already won party season jewellery: the woman behind Dakota Johnson, Julianne Moore and Rose Byrne’s red-carpet looks arrived at the CFDA Awards in New York with a gobstopper-sized diamond on her head. The piece in question – a ring on loan from IYKYK jeweller Taffin – had been secured in her signature blonde chignon with an assortment of hair ties. But party season is only just getting started, and there are plenty more stylish contenders waiting in the wings, ready to show off their most suitably iced-out pieces.
Below, eight fashion insiders reveal the jewellery they’ll be wearing this festive season.
Tiffany Hsu, chief buying & group fashion venture officer at Mytheresa
“This Messika ring was love at first sight when I visited the brand’s headquarters in Paris. I was immediately drawn to its modernity and the beautiful contrast between its minimal aesthetic and its unexpectedly dramatic presence. What I particularly love is its versatility: it can be worn as a single, understated piece for everyday elegance, or styled together with other pieces to create a much bolder statement. For me, it perfectly captures what makes contemporary jewellery so special: a strong design identity, a sense of individuality and the freedom to make it your own.”
Courtesy Tiffany Hsu.
Courtesy of Tiffany Hsu“My Art Deco diamond cocktail ring, with onyx and coral, which I wear on my pointer finger and purchased from Elmwood Auctions in Notting Hill. It’s so maximalist, and what I like to call ‘poetically gaudy’, best worn with a pair of torn-up Levi’s 501s and a faux-python trench coat. I love mixing antique and modern pieces, and I am obsessed with my new Bibi van der Velden scarab beetle ring. Jewellery looks best when it’s juxtaposed, blending pieces from different periods and eras, and I love the mix of the organic and geometric, making for the most statement-making approach.”
Courtesy Harris Reed.
Courtesy of Harris Reed“My eponymous brand’s Medusa Double Diamond necklace. This was the hero piece of our Siren’s Call collection and is still my go-to party piece. This necklace works hard, requiring minimal styling, whether paired with a T-shirt and jacket or full black tie. I like to wear it with a slicked-back ponytail for a little more impact. During the design process, I became obsessed with the S-link chain and the ornate diamond pavé clasp of the necklace, which took 18 months to develop. It is based on a traditional box clasp, which I observed on numerous Victorian bracelets… I wanted to recreate that silhouette, but make it even better.”
Courtesy Lucy Delius.
Courtesy of Lucy Delius“Shameless plug: I make my own jewellery. So, my favourite party necklace is actually from my recently launched micro-brand, Rock. Made from flat, shiny hematite beads that catch the light, bringing a unique kind of sparkle, it features a marbled doughnut-shaped stone pendant that hangs perfectly at the centre of the neck. The dark, moody shades make it a worthy companion to a low-cut LBD or a party top.”
Courtesy Alice Cary.
Courtesy of Alice Cary“The Fuse earrings from my eponymous brand, a sculptural design in gold and diamonds. I love how they create the illusion of my ears having been dipped in gold, with diamonds delicately scattered across their surface. There’s something incredibly sensual and glamorous about them, yet they never feel overly ornate. I always complete the look with my signature stackable rings and a cuff, whatever earrings I choose to wear.”
Courtesy Nada Ghazal.
Courtesy of Nada Ghazal“I struggle with earrings. My default is a gold hoop, small for day and big for evening, partly because I’m lazy and partly because I was born within the sound of Bow Bells. Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about these pictures of Chloë Sevigny from 2004. Has anyone ever looked cooler, more elegant, more perfectly festive? Subconsciously, they inspired me to get this pair of Chanel earrings, which feel like Art Deco chandeliers, or abstract Christmas trees, come to think of it. I wanted something to wear with my hair pulled back and a kajal-rimmed eye. They feel just big enough to make a statement, but small enough not to ache by midnight, which makes them a go-to for this time of year.”
Courtesy Osman Ahmed.
Courtesy of Osman Ahmed“A triangular emerald pendant by Jessica McCormack. Jessica gave it to me many years ago, when we were both at the beginning of our brand journeys. We were two New Zealanders finding our way in the fashion world, supporting and championing one another along the way. It has always felt particularly special to me because it represents that friendship and a shared belief in what we were building. I have been collecting Jessica’s beautiful pieces ever since, and our relationship has since come full circle through our own jewellery collaboration. What I love about both Jessica’s and my approach to design is that there is a certain versatility to the pieces. Hers can be worn just as effortlessly with black tie as they can with something much more relaxed, like a T-shirt and jeans. For an evening, I would wear the emerald with one of my full-length gowns, allowing the colour and character of the stone to speak for themselves. It is a piece with a lovely history for me, which makes it all the more special to wear.”
