THE JOURNAL
For too long, jewellery has been a neglected facet of a man’s wardrobe. A strange turn of events, when you consider it seems at odds with the menswear world’s wholesale fascination with carefully-considered details, meticulous craft and timelessness – qualities embodied by the right cuff, ring or necklace. Much like a luxury watch or a finely tailored suit, a well-chosen piece of jewellery also has time on its side: built to last, these are pieces that are treasured, remembered and handed down through generations. And a new breed of jewellery brands are embracing these values while pushing the envelope when it comes to design. Tasteful, but still trend-led, this crop of labels and the designers behind them represent the pinnacle of truly modern jewellery-making. And we like what we see. Here are six names you need to know.
01. Messika
The diamond experts
Diamonds might be forever, but until recently, it was hard to convince guys they could be their best friend, too. Messika is doing its bit to change all that. The brainchild of Ms Valérie Messika, the daughter of a well-respected diamond merchant, the brand is also a family affair set on showcasing timeless precious stones in thoroughly modern ways. Its leather cuffs, now available at MR PORTER, are part of the new My Move collection, which are designed to provide a dose of everyday luxury to your look. The taupe and olive-green versions above are crafted from fine leather and tough titanium – and are fitted with a free-moving brilliant-cut diamond at the centre.
02. MAOR
The insider LA brand
If “out of this world” is what you’re going for, then MAOR is the label to turn to – not that you can expect anything flashy or ostentatious from the LA brand. Exclusivity, however, is a hallmark: up until recently you could only shop the pieces if you’d made a private appointment at a peephole-fronted boutique cryptically named The Space. Founded by Israeli jeweller Mr Maor Cohen (who also heads up the M. Cohen jewellery outfit, a favourite with Hollywood’s top actors), the line is inspired by the intricacies and mysteries of the cosmos, and takes the form of swirling, sculptural designs. The 18-karat gold and diamond pieces pictured here belong to the Equinox and Solstice collections, respectively, epitomise MAOR’s clean-lined, considered aesthetic.
03. SHAY
The new heirlooms
For the mother-daughter duo who founded LA-based brand SHAY, inspiration comes from far and wide. It could be an exquisite example of Victorian or Art Deco jewellery that acts as the starting point for a new design, or a trip to Paris that prompts a new sketch. From there, they could go through endless variations until they settle on the perfect formula: one that combines timelessness with a fashion-forward twist. While the final, dazzling result – like the mesmerising Jumbo rainbow link chain bracelet made up of a detailed complex of kaleidoscopic precious stones including rubies, pink and blue sapphires and green garnets – might be bold and bright, the twosome ensure each piece is made with comfort and everyday-wear in mind.
04. Spinelli Kilcollin
The sustainable specialist
Spinelli Kilcollin shot to fame when it debuted its striking, stackable Galaxy rings back in 2010 – the latest iterations of which you can find now at MR PORTER. A decade on, everything is still handcrafted by local artisans in downtown LA, where the brand is based. But it’s not just conceptually innovative designs the label is known for. With a strong focus on ethical production and manufacturing methods, Spinelli Kilcollin keeps a close eye on its supply chain to set a new sustainable standard for the industry and is committed to using only conflict-free diamonds as well as mostly recycled gold and silver.
05. Foundrae
The cult storyteller
Foundrae might have only launched just five years ago, but it has already become one of the most buzzed-about jewellery brands in the business, at least in part because there’s no one else doing what they’re doing. Intended to be worn by the buyer, rather than gifted, each piece is designed in accordance with an almanac of symbols – dubbed “tenets” by the brand – devised by founder Ms Beth Bugdaycay and her husband, and which the wearer can combine together using multiple pieces to tell their own story. Dream, Karma and Spero (which translates to “hope”) are just three of the principles that pop up in MR PORTER’s collection of pieces tooled from gold, enamel and rare stones. Think of them as treasures you’ll pass on for years to come.
06. OLE LYNGGAARD COPENHAGEN
The Scandinavian minimalist
Mr Ole Lynggaard might have had his name on the door since 1962, but his eponymous brand, OLE LYNGGAARD COPENHAGEN, is now very much a family affair, with his daughter Charlotte sharing designing duties and his son Søren filling the role of CEO. A born sculptor with a keen interest in the natural and architectural worlds, Lyngaard’s fauna-inspired designs are deceptively simple, featuring highly-intricate engraved and stamped elements, and have earned the label a royal warrant to the Danish the court. The family-centric approach even applies to the pieces: the 18-Karat Julius cuff and coordinating ring, which form just part of MR PORTER’s collection, started life as a birthday gift for Charlotte’s son and are named for him.