2 weeks Ago By Vogue Singapore
The Parisian maison FRED has a uniquely sunny perspective on jewellery that becomes all the brighter especially this time of the year. When the conversation around jewels turns inevitably to the festivities, it’s the low-lit evenings of dinners and parties that get the most attention. But, and rather more interestingly, what about the joys of the daytime? Running to buy flowers and gifts, the accoutrements to set your table, the decorations to set the mood.
The hours when the sun is still up are as much part of the year-end buzz. Which is where FRED, nicknamed The Sunshine Jeweller, really comes into its own. The distinct perspective that FRED brings to its jewellery designs is inspired by a chic born of the French riviera.
A sun on your back, wind in your sense of style. Its designs are meant, like winks of happiness, to enliven moments big and small on even the most ordinary days. They are the kind of jewels that, in their beauty, can amplify life.
Read More Jin on the Côte d'Azur, a jewellery special with FRED By Vogue Singapore The maison counts a handful of distinct, core pillars in its collection. Its most undoubtedly emblematic is the Force 10, a range of cable and buckle designs inspired by the sport of sailing—which was and remains a major passion of the brand—meant to symbolise the strength of love. The story goes that in 1963, Henri Samuel, a son of founder Fred Samuel, was on a sailing boat when he noticed a cable about to break.
As a quick sailor’s response, he secured a section of it temporarily around the wrist of his wife, Béatrice, with a makeshift snap hook. The image of this struck Henri Samuel so much he took the idea to the FRED jewellery workshops. Three years later, the first Force 10 bracelet was formed.
Or transformed, rather: from a utilitarian detail of the sailing sport into a jewel of gold. The brand then took the name Force 10 from the Beaufort scale, which indicates wind speeds, to represent the strength and endurance of love even in the face of gale force winds. Its inspiration was, after all, sparked on the wrist of Henri Samuel’s wife.
Romance also crops up in the Pretty Woman collection, a range of delicate heart-shaped designs. The range was christened after a necklace was chosen to feature in the 1990 romantic comedy film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Simple and elegant in its form, the heart-shaped jewels send a clear and timeless message of love that wears sweetly and beautifully.
Just as easy to wear is the Chance Infinie collection, which represents boundless luck. Its main motif is an infinity sign turned on its side, or, alternatively, a lucky ‘8’ in Chinese culture. The looped motif of Chance Infinie jewellery is designed with curves that wear close to the body, like intimate totems of luck to bring one confidence and joie de vivre.
In this instalment of Vogue 10, we’ve collaborated with FRED on a curation of jewellery to enhance a sense of daytime glamour. Diamonds and gemstones worn with ease, in exactly the spirit of the maison..
