When it was still 2019, and we were just about to dive into the “new ’20s,” everything was so exciting. The Roaring ’20s—the 1900s version, that is—are so beloved, so often written about, so revered. As many of us weren’t yet around to experience them, having a ’20s of our own was an exciting, energizing prospect. Woo, 2020! Let’s do this!
Or, let’s not. On second thought, let’s go back to the aughts, shall we?
All right, best not to lose hope so soon. It’s early yet, and who knows? Maybe the 2020s will have something miraculous come of them after all.
But even if this turns out to be the century of the millennium, will it ever satisfy our romanticized ideas of the 1920s? No. Not a chance. Maybe our grandkids will think it was cool, and instead of dressing as flappers for Halloween as we did, they’ll wear face masks and carry hand sanitizer as an accessory. One can only hope this existence becomes as exotic and historical as a real speakeasy.
Until then, though, the 1920s will reign as the era of style and creativity. We adore art deco jewelry and architecture; we re-create speakeasy bars and cocktails of the time. We dance the Charleston to today’s Top 40 (no, no one else does that?).
And that’s why it never feels old or passé when a new jewelry collection inspired by the 1920s hits the scene—we can’t get enough. The new one from Parisian (but Los Angeles-based) jeweler Colette, appropriately dubbed Gatsby, is a welcome entry.
In our era, Gatsby serves two very important purposes. On the one hand, it evokes the celebratory feel that you can envision when you hear the word Gatsby: the constant flow of champagne, roaring laughter and dancing, beautiful people and romance. It’s the party you might daydream about attending while sequestered inside your home, trying your best to ride this damn thing out. It’s an assurance that one day you will attend such a fete or, at the very least, you’ll be able to gather with a group of friends in the house over a few beers (sweatpants still acceptable).
If the line’s jubilant image isn’t enough to keep hope alive, it’ll catch eyes with its much-demanded angle of personalized jewelry. Shoppers want to buy initial pieces right now. Whether it’s to celebrate themselves or to keep a loved one close, these items are meaningful.
In that case, the more designer perspectives, the merrier. Colette’s version infuses the look of initial jewelry with brightly colored enamel (shoppers can choose from a whopping 15 colors, in white or yellow gold), encloses it in an octagonal frame inspired by Paris’ Place Vendôme, and, for most, surrounds the letter in a rich smattering of diamonds (there is a diamond-less ring option, too).
The collection is a rollicking symbol of better times not only behind but ahead. And what a splash it would make as a gift for the holidays, which are really just around the corner.
Top: Gatsby initial necklace in 18k yellow gold and enamel with 0.4 ct. t.w. diamonds, $2,540; Colette
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