Birthday Edition: Katerina Perez’s Poker Face
Photographer: Ksenia Usacheva @ksenia_visual_ / Stylist: Alexandra Pavlova @stylist.pavlova / Jewellery stylist and model: Katerina Perez
From the moment high jewels are made, there’s an expectation of how and where they should be worn. But doesn’t the joy of high jewellery come from discovering the unexpected and witnessing techniques of craftsmanship, unusual colour palettes and diverse silhouettes that elevate the status quo? To celebrate my birthday, I am throwing out the high jewellery rule book, for a short time at least, and playing my own game… the game of poker to be precise! From the grandeur of the Queen of Spades to the vicariousness of the Joker, here is my rule-breaking moment of self-expression inspired by a deck of cards and adorned with high jewellery.
Queen of Spades — Katerina wears a dress by Lita Weizman and a headpiece by Maison Krasnova, accessorised with the Mellerio Éclats de Lys necklace with a 5.25 carat emerald and 1,423 diamonds for a total carat weight of 55.13 carats, and the Lorenz Baumer Nébuleuse Black Magic ring from the Black Magic collection with 16.11 carats of spessartite garnet and multi-colour sapphires in white gold and black rhodium
Mellerio Éclats de Lys necklace with a 5.25 carat emerald and 1,423 diamonds for a total carat weight of 55.13 carats
Queen of Spades — Katerina wears a dress by Lita Weizman, a headpiece by Maison Krasnova, a necklace by Mellerio and a ring by Lorenz Baumer
This Lorenz Baumer Nébuleuse Black Magic ring from the Black Magic collection with a 16.11 carat spessartite garnet, blue, pink and purple sapphires in white gold with black rhodium is the ideal accompaniment to a Lita Weizman dress and a headpiece by Maison Krasnova
King of Hearts — Katerina wears a dress and coat by Promulias and a Rose des Vents cuff and necklace by Dior Joaillerie
King of Hearts — The Dior Joaillerie Rose des Vents multi-layered necklace in yellow gold, diamonds, emeralds, mother of pearl and malachite, with a dress and coat by Promulias
The Dior Joaillerie Rose des Vents cuff bracelet in yellow gold with diamonds, emeralds, mother-of-pearl and malachite, paired with a dress and coat by Promulias
Queen of Hearts — Katerina wears a dress by Moira Cristescu and a suite of jewels by Lydia Courteille, including the Paris tiara in 18k gold with 2.66 carats of rubies and 1,960 black diamonds, totalling 51.05 carats
Queen of Hearts — Lydia Courteille cuff in 18k gold with 729 rubies, black spinels and a 90-carat rubellite tourmaline; Catherine II ring in 18k gold with 359 rubies of 6.78 carats, four black spinels and a 37.20 carat red tourmaline carved with the image of Catherine the Great of Russia; Red Snake ring with 722 rubies of 7.25 carats and spinels, all from the Scarlett Empress Collection
Julian Pelliccia’s Samurai belt buckle represents the helmet and mask of the Samurai warrior, complete with 764 diamonds and a natural, unheated pear-shaped ruby from Mozambique in 18k white and rose gold
Jack of Spades — Katerina holds aloft a unique Samurai belt buckle by Julian Pelliccia crafted in 18k white and rose gold, while wearing the Butterfly Effect necklace, also by Julian Pelliccia, with a dress by Moira Cristescu, shirt by Linnard and hat by Maison Krasnova
Maison Veyret Grand Soir high jewellery cuff, signed by Anouck Veyret, in rose gold with diamonds and shaped in the ‘V’ shape of the house, alongside the Maison Veyret Tresse Pavée engagement ring in rose gold with 48 diamonds and a 0.50 carat diamond solitaire
Ace of Diamonds — Katerina wears a dress by Promulias, a mask by Maison Close and the Grand Soir cuff and Tresse Pavée diamond ring by Maison Veyret
Katerina wears a dress by Promulias, a mask by Maison Close and the Grand Soir cuff by Maison Veyret
The Joker — Katerina wears earrings and rings by Lorenz Baumer, a blouse by Etienne Jeanson and a blazer by Collini Milano, with the Araignée Extravagante Good Girl Bad Girl spider-inspired brooch crawling along the table
The Joker — The Lorenz Baumer Imperial a la Folie ring in yellow gold with a 24.76-carat pink tourmaline centre stone and 16.09 carats of multicolour sapphires, alongside the Scarabée d’automne Good Girl Bad Girl brooch with a 2.05-carat yellow diamond, plus citrine, white and brown diamonds, sapphires and lacquer in gold
Lorenz Baumer Araignée Extravagante Good Girl Bad Girl brooch with an abalone pearl of 38.84 carats, amethysts, diamonds, purple sapphires, Paraiba toumalines, aquamarines and peridots set in gold
WORDS
Katerina Perez is a jewellery insider, journalist and brand consultant with more than 15 years’ experience in the jewellery sector. Paris-based, Katerina has worked as a freelance journalist and content editor since 2011, writing articles for international publications. To share her jewellery knowledge and expertise, Katerina founded this website and launched her @katerina_perez Instagram in 2013.
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