Travel Inspiration

JAIPUR

 
India’s rich and fascinating culture has been the real source of inspiration for the Jaipur Collection. The city’s exhilarating pace and busy way of life resonates through vibrant towns and kaleidoscopic saris, lining the streets of the Indian bazaars. The Jaipur collection reflects the Indian opulence, with a vintage-heritage aesthetic while maintaining an air of present-day style. Distinguished as Rajasthan’s former capital city, Jaipur has a long running history of jewellery makers. During the time of the Mughal Empire, the Rajas and Maharajas vied with one another to see who could possess the most exquisite jewellery as a status of wealth. Discover the old quarter through ‘The Heritage Walking Tour’ where you are able to watch local artisans at work. A city that’s packed with splendid forts, testimonials of wealth and a display of ‘grandeur’ of the Maharajas era, explore the Amber Palace and City Palace for a matchless experience. 
Donatella adores staying in heritage hotels, the Samode Haveli, Taj Rambagh Palace, Sujan Rajmahal and the Jai Mahala Palace are just a few checked off her list. ‘’My usual inbound flight arrives in New Delhi (which I visited on my first trip to India), continued by a 4 to 5 hour car journey which takes me to my final destination of Jaipur, known as ‘The Pink City’. There is so much that lies beyond the pink facades of this walled city, unless you embark in a full immersion to discover this amazing place.’’

It is recommended that a stopover be made to the infamous Gem Palace – an institution known to be the oldest jewellery shop in Jaipur, where several generations of jewellery makers worked and gained an international reputation with famous clientele and Royalties. For everyone wanting to discover further history, visit the Gyan Museum where an estimated 2500 one-of-a-kind objects, collected by the late Gyan Chand Dhaddha are exhibited under one roof. 

The Jaipur collection reflects the Indian opulence, with a vintage-heritage aesthetic while maintaining an air of present-day style. Prepare for emerald and berry tones that will complement simpler looks with a pop of colour. A feast of multicolour cabochon cut semi-precious gems are set to gold-plated sterling silver, in a matte finish, resulting in eye-catching statement pieces. 

AMAZONIA

The Amazon is the world's largest tropical rainforest, encompassing a significant amount of biodiversity, including living plants and a host of animal species that are in their own right, economically important on global scales. Producing 20% of the world’s oxygen, this azure jungle is described as ‘the lungs of the planet’ – without it, we lose a crucial part of the world’s life support system.

Deforestation of the Amazon also brings many unruly consequences, such as, air and water pollution, soil erosion, the release of carbon dioxide and the eviction of indigenous Indian tribes, with the undeniable concern of plant and animal extinction. ‘’Therefore, we should stand in solidarity with international activists, charities and organisations that are fighting for the rights of the rainforests indigenous people, and to raise awareness of the significant effects of global warming’’.

 

Each year, thousands of square miles of rainforest are cut down, releasing global warming pollution in the form of carbon dioxide and methane from burning and decaying vegetation. Such processes make the forest more vulnerable to drought, loss of trees and release of pollution. Tribal communities remain at the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, ensuring that they and their land remain respected during work, farming and sourcing products.

Charitable organisations like the Survival International fights alongside indigenous people to amplify their voices and put families in control of wildlife protection. Discover more via their Instagram.

 

Notice the pale blue of the aqua chalcedony gemstone, which reminisces the rainforests flowing rivers, streams, creeks and lakes. The collections range of uneven outlines typifies the significance of a ‘made from nature’ silhouette. Each piece is framed with a delicate matte finish silver that adds a definitive touch to trans-seasonal dressing.

 

SAIGON 

Formerly the capital city of Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh, Saigon was under French domination and known as ‘the pearl of the Far East’. A bustling city – Saigon possesses Chinese shop houses and impressive colonial architecture. Hanoi is also a rich melting pot of culture, an eclectic mix of old and new, creating a true ‘East meets West’ combination.

Pass through the French Quarter, where you will discover over 1,000 years of history seen through Buddhist temples, pagodas and lively street markets. Float down on a cruising trip along the Mekong Delta, travelling the tranquil, trickling waterways, as the suns light peers over panoramic views, diverse landscapes and rows of rice plantations. The picturesque sites of Halong Bay as you board the junk boat tour is a breath-taking experience with bountiful pleasures of the coastline, emerald-green water and foliage-filled islands.  ‘’I absolutely adore exploring the cities of East Asia, packed of souvenir shops, street markets and hawker centres, offering an endless choice of food from dusk to dawn. A festive atmosphere is always felt!’’

 


Halong Bay’s skyline lights are accentuated as night falls, reflecting into the river with alluring and colour-filled paper lanterns that fill the heavens. Such images inspired the darken oxidised silver outlines and coloured gemstones you see within each design. Evoking oriental and gothic-inspired styles made for women who enjoy a distinctive and sleek touch to capsule wardrobes. 

The range remains minimal with elements of oriental simplicity, offering distinguishing silhouettes that add a unique touch to both daytime and evening looks. Many of the pieces are finished in an oxidised or black rhodium sterling silver with gold plated details, instantly brightened by either freshwater pearls or the semi-precious gemstones, featured in ornate hues like azure, emerald green and yellow.