Frida Kahlo in blue satin blouse, 1939 and Holly Dyment Frida gold, enamel, sapphire and diamond ring Photo Nickolas Muray © Nickolas Muray Photo Archives and Holly Dyment
Jewelry News
Frida Kahlo’s Style Is All Over Jewelry Now
Amazing creations pay tribute to the artist and Mexico
“I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to know better.” Frida Kahlo made variations on these statements her entire life. Undoubtedly, she was responding to the question of why she painted so many self-portraits. All the art as well as the innumerable photographs that were taken of Frida, left a powerful visual record of her extraordinary style. It’s a unique blend of traditional dress and jewels that have been a perpetual source of inspiration to designers over the years.
Frida Kahlo on a bench, carbon print, 1938, photo by Nickolas Muray © The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection of 20th Century Mexican Art and The Verge,Nickolas Muray Photo Archives
Now, Frida is at yet another peak of popularity with the immensely successful exhibit Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London through November 4, 2018. The show presents a look at Frida’s personal belongings, clothing and jewels that were only discovered at Blue House, her home in Mexico, around 10 years ago. “Frida Kahlo was rebellious, intense, enigmatic, passionate, contradictory, and very strong,” said Circe Henestrosa, co-curator of the show, in a recent interview with the BBC. “This exhibition can inspire young people…to see again, how such an important artist defined herself in her own terms.”
Necklace made by Matilde Poulat, Mexico City, c.1950. Museo Frida Kahlo. Photo Javier Hinojosa. © Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Archives, Banco de México, Fiduciary of the Trust of the Diego Riviera and Frida Kahlo Museums.
With the V&A exhibition in mind, I have indeed begun to see Frida Kahlo-inspired jewelry, as well as designs that have a strong Mexican vibe, everywhere. Following are a few of my favorites.
Holly Dyment designed her first skull jewelry – the Sunday Skull – as an ode to the artist. “I’ve been going to Mexico since I was 14. I had a house in Merida for many years and the color, music and culture just seeped in,” recalled Holly. “The head of the skull has flowers as it was created on the Day of the Dead.”
Frida ring by Holly Dyment of enamel, gold, rubies, emeralds and diamonds Photo courtesy
Holly’s latest homage to Frida is portrait rings. The enamel and gold designs feature a peaceful depiction of Frida and floral motifs embellished with gemstones. “I design what I would wear, and the collection for me captures the spirit and strength of Frida – a strong woman with original taste and opinions, and a lot of passion. When you look down at a Frida ring on your finger, you can be reminded of that.”
Frida skull gold earring by Carole Le Bris Perez with hand painted enamel. Photo courtesy
Reveling in artistic freedom, organic silhouettes and vibrant pops of colors, Carole Le Bris Perez’s new pieces comprise enamel skull earrings, rings and pendants hand-painted in New York, and encrusted with stones such as tourmalines, sapphires, opals and diamonds. As with each of her collections, the jewelry is inspired by one of her favorite artists – and this time it is Kahlo. “I designed these skulls after Frida, who struggled with her health all her life,” said Carole.
Frida Kahlo has on hand earrings she received from Pablo Picasso in the 1940 self-portrait ‘Dedicated to Dr Eloesser’ Photo
The new jewels from Of Rare Origin’s Blossom collection echo the hand earrings Frida wore in the 1940 self-portrait Dedicated to Dr Eloesser. Hands were a popular motif during the era. According to Frida experts, the hand earrings were given to Frida by Pablo Picasso. The motif is making a big comeback in jewelry today. Another element that Frida would surely appreciate about the Of Rare Origin jewels is the vibrant color scheme.
Blossom earrings by Of Rare Origin composed of ruby, pink quartz, mother-of-pearl and 18K yellow gold vermeil Photo courtesy
Irene Neuwirth spends a lot of time in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The vast majority of her work is composed of brightly colored gems set in painterly patterns that share a spirit with the colors of the city. One of her new collections is reminiscent of the cutout jewels of Mexico Frida wore so often. Irene’s cutouts are simplified silhouettes in gold.
Irene Neuwirth 18K gold mixed shape flat gold earrings. Photo courtesy
Frida is a constant source of inspiration for Mexican designer Sara Beltrán. The bead necklaces in her collection are a modern update on the styles Frida wore. Sara shows just how they would look on the artist by attaching them to her photo.
On Frida, a Dezso by Sara Beltran necklace composed of classic amber and tourmaline shark fin puka. Photo courtesy
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The Jewelry in Frida Kahlo’s Fashion Book
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