I flew in from Adelaide with fellow Jewellery designer, Bell and Brunt work colleague and creative soul, Zen Chew. As we were driven towards the coast, sweeping around the corner, I was struck by the impressive towers rising from the sand. They are unmissable, deep in colour resembling faceted crystal-like forms breaking out from the flat landscape. A gold cursive ‘L‘ logo glistening in the sun, The Langham, the venue for the awards presentation. Now I am getting excited!Â
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I have been a finalist in jewellery awards before, but this would be the pinnacle; the prestigious ‘Diamond Guild of Australia Jewellery Awards‘. My design, the ‘ Diamond Metropolis‘ suit brooch, had been recognised by the judges and selected as one of only two considered finalist for ‘Diamond for Men‘ category. No one had designed a suit brooch to resemble the pocket square before, a truly unique design concept, an award worthy idea–could I be in with a chance?! We were greeted at the Langham’s ‘Diamond Ballroom‘ champagne flowing and sophisticated Carla Zampatti–gowned women wearing the finalist pieces for us to admire close up and touch. All stunning and awe–inspiring.Â
The carefully chosen judges set the bar high. Lester Brand managing director of Lester Brand Jewellery, Brandon Gien CEO of Good Design Australia, Karlie Ungar creative director at Carla Zampatti, and Bebe Bakhshi jewellery blogger and influencer (we were lucky enough to share a table with Bebe, so lovely with the most deep velvet eyes!) These professional creatives had held my design in their hands and deemed it worthy of the possible highest jewellery design awards in Australia.Â
Our master maker at Bell and Brunt jewellers Benjamin Shore had brought to life my vision. Bell and Brunt’s history of establishing in 1920 had been the catalyst for my Art Deco inspired design. The name ‘Diamond Metropolis‘ pays homage to a favourite black and white film by Fritz Lang of that era. The resurgence of suit fashion, three–piece suits, actors like Leonardo Dicaprio dressed by Catherine Martin in Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Great Gatsby‘, Timothee Chalamet who dared to wear tailored Jacket with bare plunging necklines with jewels on the red carpet, all an inspiration.
Like the roaring 20’s, we had now come out of the pandemic restrictions to express ourselves again and make ‘going out‘ exciting and memorable. I imagined suited men and women elevated when wearing the ‘Diamond Metropolis ‘at a black tie event or catwalk. When the piece flashed and shone on the video screens and down the central runway at the Diamond Guild of Australia 2023 awards I was satisfied, it looked every bit impressive and dazzling as I wanted. Diamonds truly come to life when worn on the body with movement and showcased‘ Diamonds are born to be worn‘.
