Tag: Buccellati

Lucky colours to wear on the first day of CNY

Start the Year of the Ox by welcoming in good luck, health and fortune with the lucky colours that match your zodiac sign. Whether you’re looking for love or a boost in your career, these auspicious colours to wear on the first day of Chinese New Year will bless you with a prosperous 2021.

gafencu magazine lucky colour chinese new year - Rat

Balmain Blazer; YSL blouse; Givenchy pencil skirt; Bottega Venetta chained pouch and hoop earrings; Omega Constellation watch

Year of the Rat

White = Good business
Gold = More wealth
Black = Safety
Blue = Calm emotions

gafencu magazine lucky colour chinese new year - Ox

Barena Venezia blazer; Berluti scritto messenger bag; Bottega Veneta belt; Giorgio Armani sweater; Prada trousers

Year of the Ox

Red = Good business
Gold = More wealth
Purple = Love
Earthy = Good health

gafencu magazine lucky colour chinese new year - Tiger

Versace gold medusa jacket and shoes; Giorgio Armani bag; green tourmaline ring; by Ryder Diamonds; Gucci necklace; Rado golden horse automatic watch

Year of the Tiger

Forest Green = Good business
Gold = More wealth
White = Love
Black = Good health

gafencu magazine lucky colour chinese new year - Rabbit

YSL cashmere and wool jacket; Marni small leather tote;  fancy yellow white earrings by Ryder Diamonds; Versace medusa necklace; ribbed trousers by Victoria Beckham

Year of the Rabbit

Blue = Good business
Gold = More wealth
Yellow = Ward off bad spirits
Orange = Love

gafencu magazine lucky colour chinese new year - Dragon

Marni knit dress; Burberry ankle boots; Hermès silk bag; Fenty Beauty gloss bomb

Year of the Dragon

Red = Good business
Yellow = More wealth
Purple = Love
Brown = Happiness

gafencua magazine lucky colour chinese new year - Snake

Marni knit pullover; Joseph leather leggings; Ports bag; Chaumet link necklace; Chopard happy hearts bracelet

Year of the Snake

Red = Good business
Gold: More wealth
Orange + Red = Love
Green = Happiness

gafencu magazine lucky colour chinese new year - Horse

YSL runway look and silk blouse; Giorgio Armani purse; Fenty Beauty gloss bomb

Year of the Horse

Red + Purple = Good business
Pink = Love
Green = Good health

gafencu magazine lucky colour chinese new year - Goat

Joseph Cenda wool and and cashmere jacket; Jimmy Choo heels; Astteria yellow diamond necklace; Marni small leather tote; Fenty Beaty gloss bomb

Year of the Goat

Orange + Red = Good business
Yellow = More wealth
Bright Yellow = Love
Beige = Good health

gafencu magazine lucky colour chinese new year - Monkey

Dior hoop earrings; Burberry sunglasses; shoes by Golden Goose; Buccellati Macri Classica diamond bracelets

Year of the Monkey

White = Good business
Gold = More wealth
Golden Brown = Good health

gafencu magazine lucky colour chinese new year - Rooster

Canada Goose sleeveless vest; money gold cloth mask by Silkism; Omega Trésor watch; Burberry gold-plated bangle; necklace by Ryder Diamonds

Year of the Rooster

Silver = Good business
Gold = More wealth
White = Love
Yellow = Good health

gafencu magazine lucky colour chinese new year - Dog

Chloe FW20-21 runway look; Bottega Venetta clutch; Breguet Reine de Naples watch

Year of the Dog

Red = Good business
Light Yellow = More wealth
Wine Red = Love
Brown = Good health

gafencu magazine lucky colour chinese new year - Pig

Kingsmen suit jacket and pants; Louis Vuitton long necklace; Cushion diamond ring by Ryder Diamonds; Berluti cashmere scarf

Year of the Pig

Black + White = Good business
Gold = More wealth
Light blue = Love
Dark green = Good health

Drop Down Gorgeous: Dangling designs that enhance your décolleté

It’s no secret that choosing the right pair of earrings can enhance or detract from your overall style. There is one particular category of these gem-studded jewellery, though, whose versatility and dazzling nature have been embraced for its ability to elevate pretty much any look – dangling earrings. 
 

Gucci Hortus Deliciarum earrings; Bulgari Serpenti earrings; Buccellati Cocktail Collection earrings; Chaumet Perspectives de Chaumet earrings; Peonia Gala Collection earrings; niin Vida amazonite drop pendant earrings; David Yurman Novella Chandelier earrings; Boucheron Plume de Jour earrings

Thanks to their elongated appeal, these flowing designs are known for their ability to create the illusion of a slimmer face and enhance the neckline. Embracing this inherent flexibility, a plethora of the world’s leading haute joaillerie maisons have served up a staggering array of these designs to suit any occasion. 

Cartier [Sur] Naturel High Jewellery Liliale earrings; Chopard Red Carpet Collection drop earrings; Graff multi-coloured diamond earrings; Boucheron Bleu Inifini earrings; Sarah Zhuang Mermaid earrings; Harry Winston The New York Collection earrings; Piaget earrings

If you’re seeking to add a subtle flourish to your daytime outfit, you could do far worse than don the sleek Bleu Infini earrings from French luxury label Boucheron. If a monochrome outfit is more your style, the multi-coloured aesthetic of Graff’s diamond-studded design is just the ticket to add a splash of colour. Finally, for the perfect statement piece to round out your glam gala look, opt for larger, bejewelled creations, such as Cartier’s [Sur] Naturel Liliale earrings or the gorgeous sapphire-and-diamond Harry Winston danglers.

 
 

Buccellati unveils gorgeous, geometrically inspired new Mini Rombi Collection

For over a century now, Italian haute joaillerie label Buccellati consistently wowed the world’s high jewellery aficionados with its masterful handcraftsmanship and stunning gemstone designs. The latest chapter of this story now unfolds in the form of its all-new Mini Rombi Collection. 

Buccellati Mini Rombi Collection 3

A new and refreshingly minimalist take on the brand’s iconic Rombi line, the Mini Rombi Collection transforms those emblematic designs into comfortable yet undeniably chic everyday-wear creations, without ever once eschewing on painstaking attention to detail or reducing the effect it has on wearers and viewers alike. 

Buccellati Mini Rombi Collection 2

The dominant motif of this collection is the use of unique geometric elements to enhance the gemstones on every piece. Take, for instance, the ‘20s-era rhomboidal lozenges, calling to mind the intricacies and beauty of ancient Persian tapestry. 

Buccellati Mini Rombi Collection

From rings to pendants to earrings, every piece of Buccellati’s Mini Rombi Collection is a work of art, blending old and new in a wholly appealing fashion. An eye on flexibility is also inherent here, with the designs coming in either white or yellow gold to suit your mood, all, of course, embellished with a glittering array of sparkling diamonds. 

Buccellati Mini Rombi Collection 4

Drop Earrings: What celebrities are wearing on red carpets?

If red carpet trends are anything to go by, there’s one look that celebrities the world over seem to be digging these days – haute couture gowns, swept-up hair and drop earrings. Be it at Cannes or charity galas or other high-society events, it’s easy to understand why this look is so popular with A-listers.

At the centre of this look is of course an eye-catching, glittering, twinkling pair of earrings that spells glam all the way. Choose from the high jewellery collections from the acclaimed purveyors of luxury jewellery, from Chopard’s Red Carpet Collection to Chaumet’s Josephine Aigrette earrings, but do remember it’s a fine line between chic and crass, so here’s out top five picks to help you make the right choice every time.

 

Star Power: Cosmic jewellery in contemporary culture

Despite personkind having first set foot on the moon some 50 years ago, intermittently successful unmanned missions to Mars and, most recently, candid snaps of a black hole at play, outer space remains very much the Great Unknown, a region that fascinates and terrifies mere earthbound mortals in almost equal measure. The Final Frontier, as it was memorably billed by one TV sci-fi franchise, continues to inspire in countless mediums, with its depths explored almost as thoroughly by the human imagination as by any high-tech NASA probe.

Cosmic jewellery pieces

With the night sky seemingly a celestial diamond array, it’s no surprise that haute joaillerie brands have so oft looked to the heavens for inspiration, with the sun, the moon and the stars frequently motifed in cosmic jewellery designs by many of the leading marques. This is evident in such high-end offerings as Cartier’s Les Galaxies de Cartier collection or Piaget’s Sunlight Escape collection.

While some jewellery designers have turned to otherworldly materials to render their works in a truly stellar style – most notably milky quartz, moonstones or rock crystals – others have opted for iconic astral avatars. Of the latter, this has seen Chopard’s Happy Diamonds pendant necklace give the sun star billing, while Buccellati’s black-gold Macri cuff bracelet has more than a little of the night about it.

Of course, given this is the world of haute joaillerie, regardless of any piece’s lunar leanings or solar stylings, the price of any cosmic jewellery, too, is almost guaranteed to be somewhat astronomical.

 

Evergreen Feelings: this season’s best Christmas tree ornaments

According to psychologists, families who put up their Christmas decorations early are generally happier than their counterparts who hold off until the last minute, and here at Gafencu, we don’t need to be told to be jolly twice. With the festive season mere weeks away, we’re setting out to embrace the holiday spirit in full by sharing our recommendations for the season’s most darling Christmas tree ornaments, alongside a complimentary history lesson of the beloved holiday tradition. 

Most know that bringing home and decorating an Evergreen tree is a cherished holiday tradition, but where exactly did this long-held custom originate from? While the roots of today’s modern Christmas tree can be traced to Northern Europe thousands of years ago, the first documented use of such foliage for the festive season dates back to the 15th-16th century in Estonia and Latvia. A few decades later in medieval Livonia and early-Modern Germany, the custom of decorating trees in their homes was started by local Protestants. Fast forward to today, and families the world over have adopted the practice, including our very own Hong Kong.

In the 19th century, upper class families in the Western World began to partake in the tradition too, sprucing up their Christmas trees with ribbons, ornaments, tinsel, and sweets. In modern times, Christmas trees are a staple of many a household’s living room, decorated not only with heirloom ornaments from the past but with contemporary decor such as peppermint candy-canes and string lights.

With such a wide assortment of ornaments and decorations to choose from, we’ve put together our list of the prettiest items to hang from your Christmas tree.

 

Text: Bailey Atkinson

Must-Sea: New Wave of Ocean-Inspired Jewellery

High jewellery designers have plunged into the depths of the ocean to find inspiration for a range of ocean-inspired jewellery. Be it the blue hue of the waves, the striking pattern of a ship’s anchor, the dazzling whiteness of the sands on the beach, high jewellery has been infused with all things nautical this season. Check out our top picks of maritime jewellery.

Buccellati returns to Hong Kong with the launch of its brand-new boutique at Harbour City

Buccellati returns to Hong Kong with the launch of its brand-new boutique at Harbour City

Earlier this month, Italian high-jewellery brand Buccellati officially returned to Hong Kong since its first store in 1960, with the launch of its brand-new boutique at Harbour City.

Staying true to the iconic Buccellati style, the store features art elements inspired by the Italian Renaissance. The display windows showcase the house’s one-of-a-kind high jewellery creations as well as its most popular pieces.

In the wake of the new opening, we spoke to Maria Cristina Buccellati, daughter of founder Gianmaria Buccellati and the brand’s Communications and Marketing Director, to find out more about the intricate workmanship displayed in each and every collection. 

Buccellati returns to Hong Kong with the launch of its brand-new boutique at Harbour City

Did you always plan to follow in the footsteps of your father and represent the family business?

When I was younger, I would finish school and the driver would take me to my father’s office. I remember one time, I was playing with an opal as it looked like an egg and my father told me off, as it was very precious. I have always been fascinated watching the artisans too and I had no doubt that I would follow in the footsteps of my father.

Engravings are a distinguishing mark of all objects signed Buccellati. What is the history behind this tradition?

In Milano, there was a very important tradition of engraving since the 18th century mainly on weapons and armours. According the intricacy of the engraving, you could understand the importance of the families. I think it is something that gives a distinct difference to the metal as well as a personality and softness to the jewel.

What’s more, it is a rule for most of our jewels to be designed and then handcrafted with two gold colors. Diamonds are often set in white gold to retain their beauty and yellow gold for the rest of the jewel.

Buccellati returns to Hong Kong with the launch of its brand-new boutique at Harbour City
Engraving process of Macri colletion

Please tell us about the workmanship behind the Hawaii and Tulle collections? 

For the Hawaii collection, we create a thread of gold which is twisted on itself. With the help of a tool that holds the thread, the artisan twists it and creates the design.  Again, the human touch makes a big difference. That’s what Buccellati is about.

For the Tulle collection,  the artisans take a leaf of gold and pierce it with a drill to make simple holes. Using a manual saw into each of the holes they have made, they create the hexagonal shape which is typical of our honeycomb texture. Each hole takes about 3 to 4 hours to finish. With each ring there is around 200 to 300 hexagons,  taking around three to four months to be ready and a necklace can take about two years to complete. They are all collector pieces and they are more than jewels, we like to consider them pieces of art.

Our most important asset is our artisans which I consider artists, because the competence and artistry they have are rare. They need a strong passion and hours upon hours of practice to become skilled

In most cases, this profession is a family legacy passed from generation to generation. In fact their grandfathers used to be my grandfather’s artisans. In addition, a few years ago we created a school where we teach the younger generations the secrets behind this incredible work

Buccellati returns to Hong Kong with the launch of its brand-new boutique at Harbour City

What is the most popular collection to date and why?

Macri is probably the most popular because it has the signature engraving and it is versatile. The bracelet can be worn alone during the daytime and, in the evening, it can be stacked with a few more.

This collection was my favorite when I was younger and in fact, still is. When I was thirteen, I remember asking my father for the bracelet. He said I was too young but so kindly named the collection after me. Then, when I was seventeen, he finally gave it to me as a gift. I was so pleased!

Macri Collection

What does Buccellati represent?

I think Buccellati represents the search for something that is different and related to art, excellence and passion. It fulfils the desire of culture and beauty, rather than a desire for material goods. Moreover, the Buccellati jewel can be passed down to future generations because it is timeless and will always retain its elegance.

 

For more information visit,  us.buccellati.com/en

Buccellati, Shop G312, Ground Floor, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, Kowloon

Natural Beauty: Gafencu’s top 8 picks of brooches inspired by Mother Nature

Despite technology cocooning all aspects of modern life, Mother Nature is an inevitable presence. Time and again, art has borrowed from nature, with artists singing paeans of praise to all aspects of nature through diverse art forms. Jewellery too has come a long way, from actual elements of nature adorning the human body (think seashell jewellery by Neanderthals) to jewellery designers mimicking natural elements in their designs. 

Here, we’ve put the spotlight on eight such high joaillerie brooches that have captured some of the most striking feats of nature. Elaborate, intricate and exquisitely beautiful, these brooches are only second to nature’s originals. 

Andrea Buccellati discusses keeping jewellery in the family

As one of Italy’s most prestigious jewellers, the Buccellati name is synonymous with exquisite gems and watches.

The company’s president, Andrea Buccellati, spoke to Gafencu recently about how he got started in the family business, why Buccellati never uses outside designers and how his daughter is moving the brand forward.

Describe a typical day for you.

I don’t really have a typical day because I cover the business worldwide. When I have the time, however, I follow the production of new designs day-by-day, including any prototypes we have.

My role as president also takes me across the world because it is important for the Buccellati brand to be close to its clients. Travel takes up a lot of my year.

You started working with your dad when you were 16. Did you explore any other career options or were you always destined to join the family business?

I think it was destiny in a certain way to join the family business. I have always loved to create and use my hands, even when I was a little kid. Thankfully, I had the perfect opportunity to develop this with my family.

When I was 12 years old I knew I wanted to work in the family business and at 16 I started to work in the office with my father after school.

At the start it was just to learn how the business worked. But once I turned 18, I started the serious full time work every day.

The Buccellati tradition is to keep creative skills within the family and not use outside designers. Why is this?

It is a very important tradition because the history of the Buccellati family is to have designers from each generation.

The logic for this is very simple: you keep the style and tradition within the family. By sticking to this tradition, you don’t have a lot of influence from outside markets which means you don’t copy other products.

Also, it is not enough to just design, you have to know how to create jewellery. And in order to create jewellery for us, you have to live Buccellati.

My daughter has followed in this tradition and she is the future of Buccellati.

How do you and your daughter, Lucrezia Buccellati, work together to design the jewellery?

We see each other in Milan and New York, where she lives. We spend time together working on designs and coming up with ideas.

Inspiration is very important and when I am in New York I am in contact with a different world. It is a more dynamic world than in Italy.

How has working with your daughter helped to move the brand forward?

Lucrezia is the first woman to ever have this role within the company (creative designer) so she comes in with a lot of new ideas and she helps us take a different approach. Her input is for a product that is wearable, young and fresh. She is the perfect person to move Buccellati forward.

What do you draw inspiration from when you’re creating jewellery?

Sometimes I will see a beautiful painting and imagine jewellery. Sometimes I look at a beautiful woman or nature or architecture. It is a mixture of many things.

How do you view Hong Kong as a jewellery destination compared to the US and Europe?

The mixture of different cultures makes Hong Kong a very interesting market. Our Asian clients are more concerned about the details of a piece and understanding the background of the jewellery. It is not just about buying.