Back to Basics: Nature-Inspired Jewelry Collections
Just about every girl owns a leaf-shaped pendant, or a floral ring or earrings. Although it’s particularly trendy right now, nature-inpired jewelry has always been univerally appealing. Here our Trendsetter Mary Jo Matsumo shares some of her favorite fellow jewelry designers who are inspired by nature. Check out her own gorgeous luxury jewelry line* and blog Trust Your Style**.*
I’m drawn to nature-inspired jewelry because it’s so timeless. All the celebrated jewelry designers I can think of worked with this theme at some point in their career. Today the genre spans the gamut from classic to modern goth, serene to irreverent, yet I’m convinced that if you invest in a well-designed piece of nature-inspired jewelry it will always be in style.
Here are some of my favorites:
David & Martin
Famed Stockholm design team David Andersson and Martin Lasson behind the jewelry line David & Martin have been awarded numerous accolades and have collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld and Acme Jeans. They burst onto the scene with their “Chicken Feet” collection that came about after seeing a pretty girl on a Shanghai subway munching deep fried chicken feet. I’m partial to this cuff from their gold Cell Collection, inspired by honeycombs.
Philippa Holland
Brit designer Philippa Holland studied the History of Jewelry at Sotheby’s and is known for her nature-inspired jewelry. Her celeb following includes Sienna Miller, Gwenneth Paltrow, and Cameron Diaz. I’m loving her Beetle pieces made from blackened silver and enamel.
Abigail Percy
I’ve long admired Scottish jewelry designer Abigail Percy’s jewelry. Her delicate and striking work is made from sterling silver with plated gold, so it’s a cost-effect answer to the 18k gold standard of fine jewelry. I’ve been pining for these Creeping Leaf Hoop earrings new to her collection.
Tom Binns
Always a huge fan of Irish-born jewelry designer Tom Binns, this Swarovski crystal and rhodium cuff from his Dumont Noir Florescent collection has all the punch of a classic vintage statement piece. Speaking of vintage, don’t forget to check out all the unique nature-inspired vintage treasures to be found at great prices from the many wonderful online sellers worldwide. Try Etsy and Ebay and don’t be afraid to google the kind of vintage piece you’re looking for, you’ll be surprised how many options you may have.
Mary Jo Matsumoto
It’s probably not surprising that as a resident of Laguna Beach, my first collection of fine jewelry for my Mary Jo Matsumoto luxury line was inspired by nature. Using favorite motifs from the Magical Mind textile that I developed for my handbag line, I created an 18k gold and South Sea pearl collection that includes designs that incorporate starfish, shells, seahorses, fish, butterflies and birds.