By Rachael Taylor
Being a great designer is all about having a good eye, and Victoria Tryon’s sartorial vision is 20:20. The jewellery designer, who worked for Cartier, Boucheron and Harry Winston before setting up her own eponymous fine jewellery label in 2009, has now turned that laser-sharp gaze to the work of others, launching her own online jewellery store, Curated by Victoria.
This online treasure trove of jewels, which she launched last year with business partner Julia Grandbesançon, formerly an exec at global consultancy firm McKinsey & Company in New York, is one giant lust list. Upon first click, beautiful images jump out to meet you of shimmering jewels, sexy stacks and names that you might not have heard of before; a key USP of the site that Tryon is passionate about.
“Not a lot of jewellery brands out there float my boat, but we have an array of really cool, unique designers on board,” says Tryon, sipping a glass of wine in front of a roaring fire at what is perhaps London’s most exclusive private members’ club, 5 Hertford Street. As we chat, fellow member – and customer – William Cash, the editor-in-chief of Spear’s magazine and former Hollywood journalist, wanders over to join in, full of adulation (“She is a truly wonderful jeweller, I couldn’t recommend her more,” he says before wandering off into the night.)
These wonderful, and in fact award-winning, jewels of Tryon’s can also be bought through Curated by Victoria, and her style is an eclectic mix. Tryon’s Amazon earrings capture clusters of loose amethysts in industrial gold cages, while her decorative enamel swans fly over breastbones or nestle on fingers, and the Vanity collection comprises entirely wearable vortexes of diamonds. As for the band of jewellers she has chosen to join her for the launch of the site, it only strengthens the diversity of the offer.
Nadine Aysoy’s dazzling Tsarina collection is heritage fine jewellery at its most lavish, with a playful modern twist, while Yama offers up minimal gold and diamond jewellery with geometric leanings. Hasanthi Ovesen is a master of statement gemstones – her enormous Amazonite earrings are just perfect – yet Kelly Bello manages to make just as much of a statement by using tiny specks of diamonds on edgy body chains, or carefully placed etches on gold initial charms to make them look like helium balloons.
The price range available also makes the site ideal for both a serious, considered purchase as well as a quick gift or pick me up. In fact, one of Curated by Victoria’s quirkiest designs is its most affordable: Selina Naz’s necklaces recreating Paris, New York and London skylines in intricate but miniature detail on silver necklaces cost just £120. At the top of the scale, you’ll find an ambitious peacock-inspired Feather gold necklace by Hasanthi Ovesen, set with a 5.8ct tanzanite as well as tiny emeralds and diamonds, which can be yours for £23,000.
“It’s very carefully curated,” assures Tryon. “You don’t have to trawl through hundreds of pages, and you know that everything [on the site] is beautifully made, will be on trend and it is from [designers] all over the globe.” Certainly, a triumvirate of reasons to make your next click Curated by Victoria.
