After the resounding success of their first collaboration, which saw the supermodel team up with the Parisian haute joaillerie brand on a collection inspired by her own much-loved jewellery, it’s no surprise that Kate Moss and the brand’s founder Valérie Messika have joined forces once again. Their second collection is a continuation of that range, the Messika by Kate Moss Opus 2 collection, which was revealed to much fanfare at Paris Fashion Week on Sunday night.
While this may be their second collaboration, the event marked the first time the diamond jewellery house has ever held a fashion show. Moss felt it was important to show the jewels on a catwalk, as a way of demonstrating how jewellery is a key part of putting together a look. Set in the gardens of the Ritz Hotel – Moss’s favourite place to stay when she’s in the French capital – the event drew in the great and good of the fashion world, with Cardi B (who wore Messika to the Grammy Awards in 2019), Karen Elson, Toni Garrn, Jordan Barrett and Camille Charriere all taking front row seats.
The catwalk was no less star-studded, with models including Isabeli Fontana, Constance Jablonski, Cindy Bruna and Taylor Hill enlisted to show off the latest collection, which was inspired by gems Moss has collected during her travels around the world. Perfectly melding Moss’s vintage references with Messika’s modern style, Opus 2 sees dazzling diamonds, sparkling from extravagant necklaces, oversized earrings and decadent three-finger rings, paired with the full rainbow of gemstones, from marbled malachite, and shimmering mother-of-pearl to inky onyx and vibrant turquoise – another first for the jewellery house, which usually focuses purely on diamonds.
Moss was heavily involved in the designs for the collection, which feature numerous Art Deco touches – one of her favourite eras – as well as Indian-inspired pieces and a nod to her boho-luxe personal style through the inclusion of headpieces, a standout from the show. Designed to be worn with nonchalance – Moss likes to pair them with her bikini while on holiday in Ibiza – the unusual pieces are a marker for how the two women continue to push the boundaries of high jewellery with their collaborations.
‘It was a spontaneous decision to collaborate on a high jewellery collection with Kate,’ explains Valérie Messika, who says the model has long been a muse to her. ‘I met her last year at the Ritz. Surprisingly, she was wearing a lot of jewellery, and I was curious to know the various stories behind her jewels. That’s when I discovered that Kate is obsessed with jewellery; particularly high jewellery. I took a chance and asked her if she would like to co-design a high jewellery collection with me. She said yes straight away!’
After the show, guests were treated to an intimate dinner at L’Espadon, the Ritz’s private restaurant, where the glamourous attendees were joined by Moss and Messika themselves to discuss the exciting high jewellery moment they had just witnessed and toast the night.
When asked about a future plans, Valerie Messika told the ‘I can’t tell you anything for the moment, but my desire remains to always push the boundaries of creativity in jewellery and High Jewellery further. I strive to continue to create fashionable, modern and timeless pieces,’ said Valérie Messika. Which we hope, includes the arrival of Opus 3 in the not too distant future
Messika by Kate Moss Opus 2 collection is available now.
