THE JOURNAL
Depending on the intricacies of your relationship status, Valentine’s Day can either be the most spellbindingly romantic time of the year, or a fingers-down-your-throat cringefest that you’d rather was wiped from the calendar for eternity. Whichever camp you fall into, dressing for love is all about confidence. And the quickest way to build confidence into every outfit you put on? Jewellery.
Jewellery, generally, is a long-term choice. It’s something we should keep for decades, give as a gift, or attach some kind of sentimental value. As such, it needs to be something that looks the part no matter what you wear it with, and should feel timeless enough that it won’t gather dust at the bottom of your sock drawer when you decide it no longer goes with anything.
Jewellery has become an increasingly important and relevant part of the male wardrobe in recent seasons, thanks to a wave of brands designing pieces that are not only precious but innovative and fashion-forward. But where to start? Keeping up with the best of the best in jewellery is a full-time job, but the team of buyers at MR PORTER has dutifully sought them out.
For a new wave of fine jewellery that takes the history of jewellery-making and gives it a contemporary spin, look to Los Angeles, which is fast becoming a global capital for contemporary-minded jewellery artisans with an edge. Helmed by mother-and-daughter team Msses Ladan and Tania Shayan, SHAY is one of the foremost brands leading the charge in the city right now. The duo have made their name by creating eye-grabbing bracelets, rings and necklaces that are designed to be worn together (and are exceedingly generous with the smattering of diamonds and gemstones that festoon each piece). The strength of SHAY’s jewellery lies in its versatility: it will look the part whether you’re spending the most romantic day of the year smartened up for dinner out, or are happy keeping it low-key for a night in on the sofa.
Also in LA is Spinelli Kilcollin, the brainchild borne out of the creativity of husband-and-wife duo Mr Yves Spinelli and Ms Dwyer Kilcollin (and when you’ve got names as exciting as those, it would a shame not to capitalise on them). Their punkish gold and silver rings are truly like nothing else, and each have a story to tell. The set of Gemini rings seen here are inspired by the constellation of the zodiac and can be worn stacked on one finger or across three depending on your preference, while the Ursa earring is said to represent the harmony of opposites thanks to the dissonance of the hefty silver band adorned with delicate gold rings.
Over in Denmark is Mr Ole Lynggaard, who founded his namesake brand in Copenhagen, where it has been operating for almost 60 years. Setting the bar as one of the most trustworthy family-run goldsmiths in Scandinavia, the heritage jeweller is known for its playful yet powerful designs: the Cushion gold ring, for instance, looks fit for a Norse god, and is set with a large, darkly gleaming onyx in the crown, while the Julius Engraved Cuff is cast from gold with a matte silk finish and engraved with symbols of good fortune. This is statement jewellery that’s intended to stand out, but if you’ve got the personality to carry it off, it’s versatile and tasteful enough to be worn with anything from casual T-shirts to fine tailoring.
On the other side of the globe entirely is John Hardy, a brand founded in Bali in 1975. The jewellery designer works with local artisans who use time-honoured craft techniques to create pieces so intricate and unique that they take on the appearance of ancient artefacts. The Naga Station bracelet, for example, is handcrafted from silver in the shape of a dragon and represents love, prosperity and protection. John Hardy’s pieces are designed to stand out and will make for unforgettable gifts.
If you’ve made it this far, well done – you’re now armed with knowledge to help you select some of the finest, most attractive jewellery around. Whether you’re in the market for something to surprise your significant other this Valentine’s Day, or are simply seeking a well-earned indulgence to bestow upon yourself, there are few things that inspire romance quite like gold, silver and gemstones. Just don’t forget the flowers.