What happens when you mix the bold, eclectic colors of a contemporary fashion brand with the intentional design of a sustainable watch company? You get a jewelry collaboration with five unforgettable pieces.
This summer, Skagen in cooperation with Copenhagen Fashion Week worked with Danish fashion darlings Baum Und Pferdgarten—known for its high style and signature chain prints—to create a limited-edition watch and jewelry collection.
The result is eye-catching twists of metal with statement-making earrings, a brash bracelet, a conversation-starting arm cuff, and necklaces, including a dramatic gold-tone neck collar. They’re oversized and chunky, catching the 1980s moment with pieces that look ageless yet fashion-forward.
“Jewelry can oftentimes get lost on the runway, but we were passionate about designing styles that brought the Danish DNA of both brands together in a bold and beautiful way,” says Halle Millien, associate creative director of Skagen Jewelry. “We couldn’t be prouder of the work our teams did for this collaboration.”
The collab’s three watches also pay homage to the sustainability promises of both brands with at least 50% recycled stainless steel cases, says Ian Miller, creative director of Skagen watches.
The duo revealed their partnership in August during Copenhagen Fashion Week; the pieces will officially go on sale in early 2023, the two brands said. Both brands “express and celebrate” Danish design, Miller says, so the work was hardly work.
“We have been longtime fans of their brand and their collections; it was a really exciting opportunity to meet them and then to collaborate with them,” Miller says. “I think the resulting product reflects how much fun we had working together. Baum Und Pferdgarten had a great story for the collection that was easy for watches and jewelry to explore.”
The reversible watches are some of Miller’s favorites.
“The turning case adds an engaging element not normally found in watches, and we are able to offer two distinct looks on the same piece. It’s fun to offer the versatility. And our more jewelry-inspired design actually references a Skagen piece from our archive,” Miller says. “The piece is light and extremely wearable, which are attributes of all Skagen watches, but it has a great fashion element with the chain link, which directly references Baum Und Pferdgarten.”
Baum is the brainchild of designers Helle Hestehave and Rikke Baumgarten, who serve as the brand’s creative directors. Their Baum Und Pferdgarten clothing collections are found in retailers and department stores in more than 25 countries worldwide.
“We really wanted to take Baum’s concept of a timeless woman and make jewelry that highlighted that idea. We worked on jewelry that was inspired by flowing fabric, which you can see in the bold twisted styles,” Millien says. “The second jewelry concept tied more closely to Baum’s classic chain print. We reimagined that print in a necklace, bracelet, and earrings.”
The creative spark that came from this collab means only one thing, Miller says—there likely will be more to come. Skagen also has worked with other design houses, including CLED for several notable eco-friendly collections.
“There is a real joy in stepping into another creative world and working with experts and innovators,” Miller says. “I hope that our customers will get a similar sense of joy and fun with these pieces as we had in designing them.”
Top: Talk about a chunky statement piece—the Baum Und Pferdgarten collaboration with Skagen resulted in a unique collection that stands out in any crowd. Prices are not yet available on these pieces, as they will be sold to the public in spring 2023, the brands say (photos courtesy of Skagen).
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