Styling / Art Direction
Natural pearls at one time were the most valuable jewel on earth, financing whole military campaigns and adorning queens. Today, cultured pearls (grown on farms in captivity) are big business and the myriad of configurations seen in jewellery are breath taking. Nearly every high jeweller has a pearl piece and these one off jewels sometimes drape the entire body as seen here.
This shoot was a logistical nightmare because we had pieces coming in from India, France and Germany as well as from Bond Street in London. Ernesto, our hair guru built a series of magnificent sculptures which balanced precariously atop the models head while we pinned layer after layer of pearls to her body. Julie Jacobs also got the makeup just right and photographers Sandrine and Michael built a set which acted as a canvas for the jewels.
Jewellery Platinum and 18k gold earrings with white diamonds and natural white Keshi peals, Bina Goenka, POA.
Shoulder brooch with diamonds and cultured Akoya pearls, Mikimoto, POA
Ring in 18k white gold, black rhodium, diamonds and golden South Sea pearls, Annoushka, £19,400
Pink Conch pearls, spinels, white gold and copper earrings, Hemmerle, POA
Freshwater pearl necklace, Melanie Georgacopoulos for Tasaki, £5,430
Comète necklace in 18k white gold, diamondsand pearls, Chanel High Jewellery, POA
Chevaux de Neptune necklace with diamonds, sapphires and white cultured pearls set in white gold, Van Cleef & Arpels, POA
Necklace in 18k white and black gold with diamonds and South Sea and Tahitian pearls, Yoko London, POA
Creative Team Stylist: Melanie Grant, Photographer: Sandrine Dulermo & Michael Labica, Hair: Ernesto Montenovo, Makeup: Julie Jacobs, Nails: Julia Wren, Model: Genesis at Select.
Photographed for 1843 Magazine at The Economist in December 2017.
