A CHILDHOOD DRAWER, A LIFELONG LOVE OF JEWELRY AND THE SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT WEDDING RING

Top image: REPOSSI Black Cross Bracelet in black Titanium

It’s that time of year. Wish lists circulate, priorities are reassessed. Somewhere along the way, the list changed. For Lara, jewelry, stopped being optional and started feeling essential, a shift that had been unfolding for years.

Lara: Growing up, there was a drawer in my childhood home filled with jewelry I received at birth from my Italian family. Small pieces, carefully wrapped and kept. And one chunky yellow gold necklace with a heart shaped pendant set with tiny diamonds (yes, it really is that over the top), passed down from my Sicilian nonna, which I still carry with me today. It’s unapologetically loud, and somehow that’s exactly why my love for it has only grown deeper over the years. Every time I secretly opened that drawer, I felt butterflies.

Later, at the start of my fashion career, attending my first fashion weeks in cities like Copenhagen opened my eyes to independent jewelry houses and the way they operate. What struck me straight away was how different it felt from fashion. Slower, more intentional, less driven by seasons or urgency. While fashion thrives on constant movement and investor pressure, fine jewelry moves at its own pace, focused on longevity, presence, and pieces that stay with you long after the moment has passed (my nonna was right all along).

That perspective sharpened as fashion prices reached surreal heights. €5,000 for a bag, €1,500 for shoes. Beautiful, often meaningful, but ultimately made of fabric. Gold and diamonds are literally forever. They last, they hold their value, and sometimes they even grow it. Most importantly, they’re pieces you keep and treasure for life, and in my case, for generations.

One (engagement/wedding) ring

Recently, I got engaged to my long-time partner on a trip to New York, a place that’s special to both of us. We thought we’d choose an engagement ring together, but quickly landed somewhere else. Rather than splitting a budget between an engagement ring and a wedding band, we decided to invest in one exceptional piece for each of us. The more the merrier, of course, but this way I can invest in something I truly want. The final ring is still to be decided, but the intention already feels exactly right.

REPOSSI Antifer ring, AFLALO Lone tile pendant necklace in gold, LIÉ STUDIO Caroline earrings and CHARLOTTE CHESNAIS Ivy bracelet

Forever pieces on my radar

The jewelry I’m drawn to is always designed with the body in mind. Less about decoration, but more so an extension of how you move, live, and exist. Ana Khouri captures this beautifully. Her pieces are clean yet expressive, with ear cuffs and necklaces that feel almost architectural while remaining wearable. They feel modern yet timeless, with a signature that’s instantly recognizable. French house with Italian roots Repossi captivates me for its geometry and quiet intellectual depth. Under the direction of cool girl Gaia Repossi, the designs carry as much history as they do form. She followed in the footsteps of her father, and before him, her grandfather, who founded the house in 1920 in Turin, Italy. I have been a fan of her ‘black’ gold designs since forever, such as the diamond ear cuff, the Antifer ring. and the Black Cross Bracelet in black Titanium.

Designs from Elhanati and Sophie Buhai (also here) sit in the same emotional category for me, pieces that feel like modern relics. I’ve worn Sophie Buhai’s gold plated nautilus ring (or here) for years and I’d love to add the Small Wave cuff. Elhanati’s gold amulet never loses its pull either. Jessica McCormack entered my orbit, admittedly, via Zoë Kravitz. Since then, her diamond ring (that I’d wear as a pinky ring) has been at the top of my wish list, along with a diamond bangle Zoë recently wore draped over her upper arm. A simple styling trick I’ll definitely remember. Also on my diamond radar is Aflalo’s collection made with Leandra Medine. Truly stunning pieces that can make even the most basic sweater feel chic. Amsterdam based brand Stenn Jewelry deserves a mention too, with its art deco influences. I love their Josefine bracelet (one of Charon’s everyday jewelry, staples).

In a more affordable category, the same goes for Copenhagen brand Lié Studio. I’ve been wearing their Caroline earrings since the brand’s founding a few years ago, and they still feel right and timeless. Also from Copenhagen is Corali, founded by architect Caroline Sillesen, who makes beautiful pieces. The Kamma Onyx Necklace and the Embleme Earrings with aventurine stones are at the top of my wishlist. JuJu Vera went viral with the Petra Shell necklace, but the Eliza earrings are my favorite.

Lara wearing LE SUNDIAL long onyx necklace (short version here)

One of my recent jewelry, purchases is this long onyx necklace (short version here) from Le Sundial, owned by my friend Sylvia Dusci. It’s simple, but makes every outfit feel chic in an unexpected way. The Opera necklace and earrings are big hits too, with Gwyneth Paltrow as a fan. Years ago, I bought this two toned Mirage ear cuff from another favorite, Charlotte Chesnais. Her organic shapes are always interesting to look at. The Ivy bracelet is the chicest form of adornment if you ask me. But if there’s one piece that truly became part of my daily uniform, it’s the Sophie Bille Brahe ring I bought myself for my 31st birthday (similar to this one). I wear it every single day, just like her delicate flower necklace. A brand that feels instinctively right for me, and one I keep in mind for my ring search.

Lara wearing a SOPHIE BILLE BRAHE ring (similar here) and earrings (similar here)

Some people don’t leave the house without makeup. I don’t leave without my jewelry. Somewhere between that childhood drawer and the pieces I wear today, it stopped being something I put on and became something I carry. Jewelry lingers. It holds memory, weight, and intention. These aren’t pieces for a season, but for life.

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