It's an unusual feat - even within the rarefied sphere of luxury ateliers - for a brand to epitomise its founder so effortlessly, yet Lily Gabriella, the eponymous fine jewellery brand from Lily Gabriella Elia, has achieved this with apparent ease. Perhaps it's her international background - born in Rio de Janeiro and raised in Monaco by a Uruguayan mother and Lebanese father - or maybe it's her innate sense of personal style. Her glamorous yet understated aesthetic is always on display, whether she's speaking to clients in her London showroom in Burlington Arcade or showcasing her new pieces at the Ritz during Paris Couture Week. Or it could just be that a love of jewellery is in her blood.
The granddaughter of famed Brazilian-Monégasque collector Lily Safra, she studied in Boston and New York and then honed her skills at Christie's Jewellery in Geneva. Since founding the label in 2016, her highly considered polish has translated fluently into her fine jewellery designs, and never more so than with her latest 'Halo' collection, which brings a new perspective to her now well-established line.
Based on the idea that there should be an 'evolving dialogue between form and material', the concept was created around interchangeable jewellery design: each individual earring features a white gold clasp set with 1.45 carats of white diamonds, which the wearer can then adjust to pair with an array of hardstone discs in a multitude of patterns and colours, allowing the gemstones to take on a range of different expressions.
In characteristic Lily Gabriella style, each stone has been thoughtfully chosen not just for its versatility but also for its symbolic meaning, from aventurine with its rich green facets and depth that make each surface completely unique, to the distinctive Dalmatian stone, notably referred to as the 'stone of joy' for its healing properties that promote emotional balance and playfulness, and its organic markings that will give a graphic finish to your look.
Flexibility and personalisation are key here. The pieces are designed so you can wear a paired set or, as styled by Elia herself, elegantly mismatch your earrings with different hardstones that complement each other. Pair the desert-like hues of Crazy Lace Agate with Landscape Jasper, or team the bright turquoise blue with the navy notes of sodalite.
The beauty of these pieces centres on striking the perfect balance, not just between the diamond clasp and a multitude of materials, but also with the shape and cut. The earrings are large enough to have a striking effect on the wearer, whether you wear your hair up or down, but just light enough not to put pressure on the earlobe.
This sense of function expertly meeting form is conveyed throughout Lily Gabriella's collections, with each piece designed to transcend time and live on through generations to come. While the pieces are contemporary, there is a timeless quality in each design that lends each an enduring appeal - and the very idea behind many of the pieces is that the jewellery evolves with the wearer rather than the other way around.
This is encapsulated perfectly in the design aesthetic of the Lily Gabriella London atelier, positioned discreetly on the upper floors of London's Burlington Arcade. Now approaching its fourth anniversary, the 450-square-metre showroom has become something of a destination in itself for the brand's clients and collectors.
It is here, amongst the airy, light-filled space, soft colour palettes and comfortable furnishings, that clients can view and try on the full range of collections, in addition to having conversations around the Lily Gabriella bespoke jewellery design service. Be it for brides looking for the ultimate wedding rings or accessories, or for women or men who wish to bring their own visions to life - or even wanting to repurpose a much-loved gemstone in need of a new design.
Lily Gabriella's bespoke offering is a genuinely personal experience that involves one-on-one conversations with Elia herself around the design process and how she can fulfil each client's commission to the full extent of their expectations - each a fresh challenge that the designer delights in.
Explore the Lily Gabriella fine jewellery collection in person by booking an appointment at Lily Gabriella's London boutique at 73 Burlington Arcade in Mayfair, or online at lilygabriella.com.
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