Messika Jewelry celebrates the 10th anniversary of High Jewelry Maison during Paris Fashion Week.[1]
For those, such as myself, who are first hearing of this brand today, you have definitely seen its work before. Its Founder and Artistic Director, Valérie Messika, designed the diamonds behind Rihanna’s 2023 Super Bowl performance - you know, the singer of “shine bright like a diamond.” She also created the Glam’Azone ring that Beyoncé wore in 2014 at the Louvre.[2]
On Friday, Messika hosted an event to celebrate its anniversary by hosting the likes of Cher, Ashley Graham, Ed Westwick (né Chuck Bass), Nicola Coughlan, and Kelly Rowland.[1]
Messika showcased the 140 creations for the new High Jewelry collection titled Midnight Sun. It was heavily inspired by the 1970s, specifically by the iconic nightclubs of the decade, including Studio 54 in New York and the Palace/Chez Régine in Paris.[1]
With this show being only its 3rd fashion show, the Maison wanted to take the chance to showcase one of the largest stones ever set by Messika since the creation of its High Jewelry Maison: The Solar Diva set with its yellow diamond weighing almost 35 carats.[1] Messika told British Vogue: “I have a crush on a beautiful cushion-shaped 34-carat yellow diamond,” says Messika. One of the largest stones ever set by the brand, it’s been dubbed the “Sola Diva set.”[2] This was a jewelry fashion show, but of course, the models needed to wear more than jewelry. Models, including Carla Bruni and Taylor Hill, donned looks by Nix Lecourt Mansion, with a few exclusive outfits co-created with Messika. The team worked alongside stylist Héléna Tejefor to create “30 bold and hypnotic silhouettes, created together to enhance the collection.”[1]
You may think it is not typical for a jewelry brand to host a fashion show. In which, you’d be correct. However, this idea was born after Messika collaborated with Kate Moss in 2020. After COVID-19 delayed the celebration of the collab, the brand decided to host a show in 2021.[2] Messika wanted to use the show as a way to encourage “women to wear [fine jewelry] with their jeans, and not lock it away in a safe.”[2]
As a fashion, jewelry, and, of course, diamond lover, I believe a fashion show is an excellent idea for jewelry brands. When I worked at Tiffany & Co., I saw many beautiful pieces available for purchase. I wished that more people would come in to look around! That following summer, I worked in London for a luxury fashion PR agency; my family came to visit, and I pulled them along to visit Vision and Virtuosity - an exhibit dedicated to the 185 years of Tiffany & Co. There, you could see the vintage pieces, old Blue Books, vintage window displays, and (my favorite) Tiffany’s famous yellow diamond weighing almost 130 carats. I thought the museum was a fabulous way to showcase Tiffany’s rich history, and I believe a fashion show could show a jewelry brand’s bright future.
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