JEWELLERY Paris Hilton's pear-cut 20ct diamond engagement ring. LOVE IS IN THE AIR In these months of uncertainty, diamonds last forever. Perhaps it's time for a memorable gesture From left to right: Yellow gold/platinum and round brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring, 2,745, at Weir & Sons; www.weirandsons.ie. 18ct white gold ring with aquamarine and pavé diamonds, Dior, 11,000, at Adam's (next auction May 25, 2021); www.adams.ie. 18ct rose gold Aurora emerald-cut blue diamond ring, POA; www.nor-design.ie. A range of diamond rings at Weir & Sons. Jessica McCormack (known for her beautiful red carpet designs) draws inspiration from art and antiquities. MEMORABLE GESTURES Where to find something special I n times of uncertainty, we look to things that are enduring. Just as the passion for fast fashion is shifting, jewellery certainly needs to last longer than a season. And, lets remember, diamonds last forever. Perhaps its time for a memorable gesture. While wedding parties are smaller, couples are focusing on different priorities: rather than blowing a lot of cash on fireworks or a decadent multi-tiered cake, you might choose to spend a little more on something you will hopefully wear for ever, such as a ring. The idea of handing down something beautiful and meaningful feels significant, too. While you want your engagement ring to be timeless, it doesnt have to be entirely safe or traditional; diamonds can come with a twist. Some of the prettiest modern diamond jewellery collections push technical boundaries with complex settings, unusual balancing acts, hidden details, asymmetric designs and immense precision. Yet, however stunning the ring, how cleverly made or exciting the gemstone, the deeper significance is the personal reaction it evokes. As director of precious gemstones at Boodles, Jody Wainwright, says, Jewellery is charged with emotion, it should take your breath away. If you prefer antique over contemporary cuts, Claire-Laurence Mestrallet, head of jewellery at Adam's sources diamond jewellery from all periods, including rings with solitaires, fancy cuts, three stone and cluster diamonds. We sell sought-after signed pieces by many of the master jewellers, including Boucheron, Bulgari, Cartier, Chopard, Dior, Graff, Tiffany & Co and Van Cleef & Arpels. And for an investment piece you wear every day, quality is paramount. Other than for their sheer brilliance, diamonds are used in pieces such as engagement rings for their durability, says Lucinda Andrews at Weir & Sons. A diamond is the hardest natural substance on earth. It can cut any kind of rock or metal. She reminds us that only another diamond can cut a diamond. In these tough times, a diamond seems an apt and memorable gesture of enduring love. 28 February 2021 THE GLOSS MAGAZINE 18ct rose gold Lunae oval champagne diamond ring set in two tiers of white diamonds, 17,800. MAKING THE CUT Just as the dream with clothes is a couture suit, made perfectly to fit and flatter, the equivalent for a special ring is working with renowned jeweller Nigel OReilly. OReilly sources only the most exceptional stones to create custom-made pieces for clients who want something that will last forever. Whether youre set on a solitaire or something more flamboyant say an oblong or cognac-coloured stone (see the exquisite Lunae champagne oval ring, above) theres something magical about diamonds, notes studio director Tracy Sweeney. While white diamonds traditionally feature in engagement rings, a hint of naturally occurring colour in a diamond can lend a unique quality to a ring, she says. For something striking, a recent OReilly design is the Trinity Ring, a three-stone ring with a central yellow gemcut diamond surrounded by an emerald-cut white diamond on each side. The perfect engagement ring should elevate the wearer it captures the significance of the moment, and gives you a unique confidence, says Sweeney. OReilly can also incorporate treasured gemstones you already have (if the quality is high enough). These are special pieces that will be handed down and keep their value. Prices start from 8,000. Book an appointment for a consultation via Zoom/phone on www.nor-design.ie. SCINTILLATING STUFF Boodles new Ribbons collection has romance right at its heart: head of design Rebecca Hawkins was inspired by a trip to Japan, where she spotted a bride in a stunning kimono, tied at the back with a silk obi belt in a bow. In Japan, bows and ribbons are symbolic of good luck, which adds a nice resonance. In this collection, Boodles exclusive Ashoka-cut diamonds are paired with a trio of different precious metals in rings, bangles and a pendant its a glamorous modern take on forever pieces. You no longer need to choose between gold or platinum tones. Versatile 18ct yellow, pieces are becoming more pink and white and more popular; our gold ring with Ashoka-cut Ribbons collection is tridiamonds, coloured, combining platinum, 15,400. 18ct yellow gold and 18ct rose gold, making it very adaptable and unifying, notes Hawkins. We love the three-stone Ashoka-cut ring set in multicoloured gold; this cut is particularly light-catching. www.boodles.com TRUE SPARKLE Dublin-based ESL Jewellery offers a chic and minimal take on the traditional engagement ring we love this red and white gold bezel-set diamond ring with brilliant cut diamond (3,250), which has a cool Scandi-inspired feel for modern brides. www.esljewellery.ie. 18ct red and white gold bezel-set diamond ring with round brilliant-cut diamond, 3,250, at ESL Jewellery, 2 Chatham Street, Dublin 2. PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS / HAPPY WITH WHAT WE HAVE / FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWDS / TALKING POINTS MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2021 with THE IRISH TIMES www.thegloss.ie DRESSING DOWN CHANGING THINGS UP BROWN THOMAS, GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN 2 CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE THE GLOSS MONTHLY REMINDER SIGN UP to receive a monthly reminder by email when THE GLOSS is out so that you never miss an issue. Simply register your details on WWW.THEGLOSS.IE. PU B LI S H E R JA N E M C D O N N E LL E D I TO R SA RA H M C D O NN E LL D E PU T Y E D I TO PEOPLE PLACES THINGS TWO UP LEAGUE CO U Gloss~ip February fashion, fiction and frivolity ES Y IV Frida Kahlo, Winston Churchill and Edith Warton all loved WFB (working from bed) à la Miss Monocle by Slim Aarons. RS MICHAEL KORS Upgrade lockdown learning with The Science of Well-Being Course Always set the right atmosphere. inductionAir Plus guarantees fresh air in your open kitchen and maximum flexibility for perfect hosting thanks to the combination of a modern induction hob with a powerful and integrated ventilation unit. siemens-home.bsh-group.com/ie The future moving in. BSH Grou PEOPLE PLACES THINGS A ATHFLOW The new fashion buzz word for 2021? Athflow. It's where athleisure meets elegance. Smart enough for a client Zoom meeting, stretchy enough for an online Pilates class. Think flowy pull-on trousers, ballet pumps and wrap-around cardis, oversized shirting, jumpsuits a H PEOPLE PLACES THINGS is for fashion hook-ups. Designer Niamh ONeill has collaborated with vegan chef and sustainability advocate, Holly White, to co-create a six-piece eco-responsible capsule collection. The duo's versatile dresses, wrap tops, a silk-satin slip skirt and a bias-cut silk blouse ar Oat-based milk chocolate, ice cream, cheese, yoghurt, and even double cream are coming our way this year, according to Baileys food futurologist Dr Morgaine Gaye and a cohort of global treat makers. Expect other (Instagrammable) trends such as luxurious savoury spreads. Champagne butter and sloe gin WORKING OUT PEOPLE PLACES THINGS Beaded belt; www.chanel.com. WAISTS Waists are the focus for SS21. Specifically belted, bejewelled waists. How to get yours in shape this year? Smart home gyms are really taking off. Consider mirror training. A tech-enabled magic mirror (above) turns into a fancy NEW DISCOVERY SPORT PLUG-IN HYBRID CHARGED FOR ADVENTURE NEVER STOP DISCOVERING You can now take the kids to their various adventures more efficiently with the New Discovery Sport Plug-in Hybrid. With an EV-only range of up to 55km, its perfect for your hectic week, and when the weekend comes, you PEOPLE PLACES THINGS 1 2 Spot The Trend 3 SCHIAPARELLI Aislinn Coffey loves spring's coolest colour 5 4 8 6 7 9 10 11 11 SPRING CREAMS Pantone named Babys Breath, a tinted offwhite, as one of five core colours we can expect to see thoughout 2021. Ever since we saw Jenna Lyons, the woman Respect the exceptional. The difference is Gaggenau. The Kerry, the Hinterwälder-Rind and the Welsh Black are examples of remarkable breeds. While some of these breeds can trace their lineage back to Roman times, today they may only number in the hundreds. The exceptional, finest and most prized; d INTERIOR S + D ESIGN at I NTE RI ORS + D E S I GN 25 Rockhill, Main St, Blackrock, Co Dublin 01 9631383 info@rockhillinteriors.com www.rockhillinteriors.com STRAP 25 Rockhill, Main St, Blackrock, Co Dublin 01 9631383 info@rockhillinteriors.com www.rockhillinteriors.com PEOPLE PLACES THINGS Fashion Notes Sand Kaia blazer, 349; www.aninebing.com. Blue Original straight-leg jeans, Totême, 216.41, at Brown Thomas. STRAIGHT-LEG BALMAIN VICTORIA BECKHAM by Aislinn Coffey VALENTINO BOOT-CUT STYLING IDEAS BALLET PUMPS What to wear with new denims 18 February by NIGEL OREILLY TRINITY DIAMOND RING 2.03ct Intense yellow radiant cut diamond with two 0.50ct DVS1 radiant cut diamonds in 18kt rose gold, €36,000. NOR by Nigel OReilly, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland www.nor-design.ie, 094 9004994 STRAP WWW.LANSDOWNEPLACE.IE PEOPLE PLACES THINGS Beauty Notes JIL SANDER by Sarah Halliwell A NEW MOOD The perfect scent for spring, grounding beauty + tinted lip care 1. LIP CARE I love many Charlotte Tilbury products whod be without Flawless Filter? but her new tinted lip balms are overpriced (€32 for just 2.4g), and ho bespoke luxury handmade, custom-designed, carpets, rugs and wall hangings connemaracarpets.ie FOOD Life Gives You Lemons by Trish Deseine I n the cold, dark days of early February, never have we needed a change of scene quite so much, nor craved sunshine, nor dreamt more of faraway shores. In my kitchen and on my plate, I am simply heading far South and far East to recharge and dream unti Book a design consultation and discover a new way of living. Call us today to book your design consultation Gaggenau authorised partner 46 Serpentine Avenue Ballsbridge Dublin 4 +353 1 660 4856 www.mcnallyliving.ie BOOKS Reading Notes by Orna Mulcahy E venings are long and diaries empty, so its a good time for vicarious thrill-seeking. Daisy Buchanans debut novel INSATIABLE, Sphere, €14.99, delivers, with its vivid reminders of a time when people worked in offices, mingled at parties and snogged each other DESIGN INTERIORS BESPOKE FURNITURE Creators of luxury homes Head Office/ Ballycoolin Showroom Units 12/13, Block 8 Blanchardstown Corporate Park Ballycoolin, Dublin 15 01 820 8480 Deansgrange Showroom Unit F, Deansgrange Business Park Kill Lane Blackrock, Co. Dublin 01 207 0702 +353 1 820 8480 JEWELLERY Paris Hilton's pear-cut 20ct diamond engagement ring. LOVE IS IN THE AIR In these months of uncertainty, diamonds last forever. Perhaps it's time for a memorable gesture From left to right: Yellow gold/platinum and round brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring, 2,745, at Weir & Sons; www.w ANDREW RYAN H A N D C R A F T E D S I N C E WWW. ANDREWRYAN.IE 1 9 7 3 ESSAY The Remembering Rope by Polly Devlin For new readers and seasoned ones ... This is the seventh episode in the loose concoction called The Remembering Rope a series of memories describing the fruits of my travels and my addiction to collecting an addiction which skewed my life as all addict ESSAY from it. When it was finally up and running, it was organised and captivating. It bridged minimalism and conceptualism and she wasnt a stranger to drollery. Yoko liked to play with conceits, ideas and concepts and of course, words. (Her book Grapefruit in 1964 was eye and brain-opening and su TRAVEL Travel Notes PETER MATTHEWS by Tim Magee T heres a scene from the penultimate series of Mad Men, as good a lockdown rewatch as any, when Don is just back from Hawaii with his pain-in-the-hoop new wife Megan. Alone in his office there is a beautifully framed shot of him looking through th INTERIORS The Look I Love Blue tapered 42cm candles, Ester & Eric, 5.26 each; www. signaturerentals.ie. Natural coated linen placemat, 23; www.hedgeroe.com. Aislinn Coffey deconstructs an inviting dining space THE DETAILS MONTSE GARRIGA GRAU A dining room inspired by a coastal palette COLOURS So BEAUTY COST EFF€CTIVE THE 2021 BEAUTY BUCKET LIST GARETH BROMELL Lets redress the balance of last year and fix all the things we neglected. SARAH HALLIWELL discusses the latest, greatest and most cost-effective options ... YOU HAVE 20 TO SPEND RAISE YOUR BROWS Get your eyebrows professionally ADVERTORIAL Fresh Skin Foundation, €35 All About Ayu The Irish beauty brand you need to know about now M ake-up artist Suzie ONeill created the Irish beauty brand Ayu with affordable luxury in mind. And its designed to be quick and easy to use. When creating products, I always think, what would THIS GLOSSY LIFE CABIN FEVER Apart from the crowds but reassuringly close to five-star facilities luxe hideaways have become the main attraction, says PENNY McCORMICK T he lure of rural escapism has never been stronger, it seems. Glamping or glamorous camping which embraces everything from tepe THIS GLOSSY LIFE FINNLOUGH BUBBLE DOMES, CO FERMANAGH USP: Weve all been in a social bubble, this is a literal one. The futuristic domes have four-poster beds, ensuite bathrooms, Nespresso machines and fluffy robes. Onsite options also include Lakeside Lodges, Waterside Cottages and catered suites. THIS GLOSSY LIFE CONTEMPORARY COTTAGES OWENMORE COTTAGE, BALLYNAHINCH CASTLE HOTEL, CONNEMARA USP: This luxurious self-catering six-bedroom cottage opened last year and can sleep up to twelve guests. Surrounded by forest on the 700-acre Ballynahinch estate, it has views of the winding Owenmore Riv THIS GLOSSY LIFE CIARA NIGHTS IN NATURE The Cabin Convert Zoomed, Zoflored and zonked out, Ciara has a pending Q2 strategy document to complete. As a financial analyst she is advising a client on the prospect of a long term bounceback. For this she needs complete silence and order. Aware that the IN THE NEWS STAR POWER JUSTIN SULLIVAN Kamala Harris, the daughter of immigrants who both received doctorates from UC Berkeley, served as California attorney general and San Francisco district attorney, before being elected to the Senate in 2016. Last month, she became the first African-American Redefine luxury with Book a design consultation and transform your home kubekitchens.ie Sandyford 01 297 3064