THE JEWELLERY ART OF: MEIRA T, LONDON
The moment I set eyes on Meira T’s jewellery collection, it was love at first sight. Meira T’s natural but edgy design spoke to my sense of style, and I was instantly drawn to the uniquely cut sapphires and other gemstones. The wonderful offset necklaces and bracelets, the natural rough cut of the gemstones and the way they sit against your skin, I was captivated.
It wasn’t until I had the pleasure of meeting Meira Tugendhaft in person at a jewellery fair in London – together with the rest of the Meira T brand, her lovely and enterprising family – that I knew this was going to be a long and brilliant relationship. Each collaboration with Meira T – lucky seven, to be precise – has taken me on a journey, where the oceans and skies sparkle with the same intensity as the beautiful gemstones in her designs. It’s been a delightful experience; one that I want to share with you now.
The first time I laid eyes on Meira T was when I was working for Accenture. It was the beginning of my jewellery blogging career. I was searching for something with sapphires and white gold, something affordable for the jet-setting woman that would transition well from day to evening. Yet it had to be exquisite enough to be classified as fine jewellery, and trendy enough to be a favourite among A-list celebrities and models. And then I found it – Meira T Designs in Harrods.
I fell in love with the slices of sapphire, opal, blue amazonite, tanzanite, and other gemstones. So many hues of blue – like slices of the ocean – so much depth, it made me feel giddy with excitement. Meira T shares my belief in the power of stones and how this energy is absorbed through contact with the skin. The exquisite slices of jewels – a technique pioneered by Meira T – is no accident, but a brilliant way to ensure contact with the most surface area of the gemstone.
When you first try on one of these beautiful creations, the gemstone feels a little cold against the skin. But the warmth of your skin soon brings it to life, creating a fusion and exchange of energy. This belief in the power of gemstones is a long-held belief, one that is shared by Naomi Campbell. She told me that emeralds have a special meaning for her. For me, it’s the sapphire, which is why I never take off my Meira T sapphire bracelet – I love it!
When I first met Meira T and her amazing family at a jewellery fair in London, I was well on my way to establishing myself as a jewellery blogger. We talked about our shared passion for gems, art and travel. It was a delight talking to her husband, Tobie, and drawing from his extensive knowledge of gems, and diamonds in particular. He is also an avid art collector, and some of his favourite pieces are on display in his New York office. Meira and Tobie travel the world together, getting inspiration from international jewellery fairs, their favourite haunts and restaurants, and the magnificent gems they discover along the way.
Their adorable daughters, who are actively involved in the business, were a breath of fresh air. Nurielle is the business mind behind Meira T, and has a way of keeping the brand fresh and modern. Brigitte is the youngest and shares her mother’s artistic flair. Her designs are fresh and fashion forward. Chantal is the middle daughter, the youngest member of the multi-generational team, and is taking care of everything legal, while opening up new doors. She had a lead role in introducing Meira T’s charming children’s collection.
Soon after this special encounter, Meira T invited me to NYC to shoot an advertising campaign for them. It was such an exciting and memorable trip, and a very proud moment, as I would become the new face for the Meira T brand. We took more than a 1000 shots overlooking Central Park and Fifth Avenue – where Meira finds a great deal of her inspiration. The best were selected for a special edition look book, developed in collaboration with GEM Kreatives, and distributed across Asia, Europe and North America. You may have seen some of the digital advertising campaigns in stores in Europe like Harrods in London. It was a big hit in Italy and Japan.
Collaborating on this campaign was so much fun. The jewellery is a joy to wear – so playful yet elegant – perfect for the modern woman. I love the vibrant colours in this collection and how perfect each piece is for layering and telling a story. The best part is that each item is affordable, and available in a range of silver and gold.
After the shoot, we took a trip to the Meira T Madison showroom, where I met the brilliant and dedicated team behind the brand. My favourite part had to be Tobie’s impressive art collection from Brooklyn. And I didn’t leave empty-handed either, but got to choose my favourite painting. It was a day I’ll never forget.
My next encounter with Meira T was around Christmas 2014, in collaboration with Harrods Magazine and the talented paper artist, Lou Blackshaw. I helped to adorn Lou’s beautiful floral paper design with Meira T’s finest fire opals, rough-cut rubies and sapphires, cognac diamonds, and more. My favourite piecee was the Meira T druzy cocktail ring. The way it shimmers in the light is reminiscent of snow twinkling in the moonlight – so perfect for Christmas.
As the brand representative for Meira T, it was my honour to introduce the British press to the new collection at a private fine jewellery press event, hosted by Harrods. I was in good company at this event, and met the lovely Ece Şirin from Bee Goddess, the charming Stephen Webster, and inspirational Bec Astley Clarke from Astley Clarke. What a day!
My next encounter with Meira T almost brings us full circle back to the beginning, as the sapphire and white gold collection feature again in the starring role. As I cruise about town, getting to know my new home for the summer in Nice, I do it in style, decked out in Meira T’s signature gem slices and my favourite – sapphires, white gold and diamonds.
I feel right at home here and love how these beautiful sapphires sparkle in the sun, reflecting my surroundings and the deep waters of the Cote d’Azure. At night, all I have to do is stack my sapphires – bracelets, necklaces, and rings – perfect for that fun beach club look.
And let’s not forget my trip to Baselworld 2014, The Watch and Jewellery Show. More than 1500 brands were present at this exclusive event. I was so excited and so captivated by all the sparkle in the place, I had to sit down a minute and catch my breath! Gladly, I found comfort in my go-to brand, Meira T, and those magnificent sapphire slices – good enough to eat! I can’t say enough about Meira T and the synergy we have found. I can relate to the sophisticated, world-traveling woman in Meira. We both have a “strong aesthetic and vision,” and our own unique way of leaving an impression on the world of contemporary jewellery. It’s been an amazing journey and I can’t wait for the next encounter.
Thanks for stopping by! What do you think of Meira T jewellery? Leave me a message in the comments below.
I am extremely happy to announce that my new jewelry book – GEMOLOGUE: Street Jewellery Styles & Styling Tips – is now on Amazon. I’m so excited. It’s the first book of its kind solely dedicated to jewellery.
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GEMOLOGUE jewelry blog by Liza Urla is a celebration of fine, fashion and vintage jewellery featuring talented jewellery designers, trendy urban street style, exclusive interviews and rare jewellery reviews. This jewellery blog’s goal is to encourage and educate about jewellery online in a fresh and original fashion to inspire women and men across the globe in a fashion and travelling context.
Jewellery blogger, writer Liza Urla, the founder of GEMOLOGUE, is a London-based and NYC-educated gemologist, who has travelled to and lived in many countries. She is now one of the most influential digital jewellery tastemakers. Her jewellery influence has been acknowledged by Financial Times, The New York Times, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
*Photographed by Flit Photography. Styling and Art Direction by Liza Urla. All photos belong to GEM Kreatives for GEMOLOGUE.
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