FASHION + STYLE

ORSINI JEWELLERS’

Sarah Hutchings on Jewellery Style, Elon Musk, and Italian Musings

Sarah Hutchings, director of Orsini Fine Jewellery, is in the know with what is fashionable in the European jewellery world and no stranger to beautiful things.

The name is also appropriate, as Orsini showcases a collection of fine jewellery that director Sarah Hutchings lovingly sources from Italy.

"Fine jewellery is not merely about accessorising. It’s about quality pieces that reflect your unique sense of style that will be cherished from generation to generation," Sarah Hutchings.

Here, she gives us an insight into her current obsessions and shares some helpful advice around the latest European jewellery trends for 2022 and beyond.

My personal style can be defined by: Accessories. As all Italian women would agree, you cannot leave home without impeccable, jewellery, shoes, belt and bag. Paired with jeans and a white shirt, floaty dresses for the summer, and everything looks amazing! Another element is authenticity and awareness of sustainability, so I love natural leathers and real jewellery with authentic materials that last. Real jewellery is much better for the planet than cheap plated jewellery; it looks classy, and it is not going to end up in a bin.

An object I would never part with is: My paintings I have collected in Italy. I have memories of a musty art gallery in Amalfi and it is the story that make the piece special. I also love the Versace dishes I collected just off Via Montenapoleone in Milan.

The most memorable places I have visited: Puglia in the south of Italy where the water is so clear and the coastline wonderfully peppered with a profusion of medieval towns. I also adore the Italian Riviera, Sicily, and the Amalfi Coast. I could keep going, but I will stop at my favourites.

Who or what can you thank for your success? My mother. She always worked hard, had high standards and loved unconditionally. Unfortunately, my mother has passed on now, but I never have a day that goes by that I do not remember her.

What is very important to you as a New Zealand female business owner? Integrity and giving back. I try to support and raise funds for many charities. My favourite is NZGCF (New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation) mainly due to my mother passing away from endometrial cancer far too young. It is a charity educating women and raising awareness about gynaecological cancer. I encourage all women to visit their site, it may save your life www.nzgcf.org.nz

A place in New Zealand you recently discovered: The Lost Spring Geothermal Pool in Whitianga. It was such a wonderful surprise. There were cocktails in the pools; surrounded with tropical plants, we could pretend we were in the Pacific islands.

My guilty pleasure and source of relaxation is: Coming home after work and putting my feet up on my couch in my courtyard under the grapevine. Especially in the summertime as it is a cool haven. I also have a lion fountain - there is nothing better than water to soothe the soul.

The podcast I love to listen to: I recently listened to a three-hour discussion with Elon Musk, who was so interesting and knowledgeable! I was particularly interested in his views on climate change and was shocked listening to his discussions on the state of the planet. As a result I have become far more aware of the environment and what I and my business can do to help.

My favourite songs are: Muy Tranquilo by Gramatik. Potere Ana / Drift Away-Remix.

I can’t miss watching an episode of: Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip. I love their silly banter and their reminiscing about all the places I have been missing visiting in Italy.

My favourite Instagram accounts are: Leonie Hanne, Chiara Ferragni and vikyandthekid. I love their style and musings. Both women are based in Europe and having spent so much time living in London and travelling in Italy and Germany I get my European fix! Technology is so fabulous - you don't need to travel to be up to date with the latest obsessions.

On my wish list is: The oversized Gucci tote bag. I am always carrying around far too much (just in case I need it) from home to work and back again.

The best jewellery advice for women: Choose the jewellery that suits you and what you 'love'. Ignore the trends. The fine jewellery, predominantly Italian jewellery, we stock at Orsini is classically beautiful and timeless. It is important to select the colour gold that suits your skin type. For example we stock a lot of 18k rose gold as it looks so amazing on so many skin tones. Jewellery is also designed to bring pleasure and make women feel beautiful when worn. It is essential that women love the jewels and they will then get the pleasure, enjoyment and compliments as the jewellery makes them feel beautiful.

My favourite jewellery trend at the moment: Wearing diamonds and fine jewellery with jeans and more casual clothing. This is a liberating feeling. Jewellery is not necessarily for saving for that special occasion, especially when we have had so few of these during lockdowns. Mind you, wear bling within reason; there is nothing worse than jewels for the red carpet being worn to the supermarket!

Another trend is the mixing of gold colours and layering, whether rings, necklaces or bracelets, and a combination of textures. Diamond earrings and stretch bracelets by Al Coro (image below) are staples that never go out of fashion and are super easy to wear with any outfits.

What practical advice can you offer with jewellery and mask wearing? Wearing masks means that most of a woman's face is covered up, so jewellery is more important than ever as it is still visible. Women also like purchasing the smaller hoop earrings that fully close at the back, so they are easy to wear with masks, especially if they need to take their masks on and off throughout the day. The earrings with butterfly backs, or hoop and open dangle style earrings, are easy to lose when taking off your mask. Styles I recommend - the petite prasiolite Nudo Earrings by Pomellato.

A new piece of jewellery I’m in love with is: There are so many pieces it is hard to decide. I love the new Marco Bicego Marrakech Onde collection which has just arrived from Italy. The Italian hand-woven link in 18k gold is very classy and classic. Worn with additional layers of Masai and Marrakech bracelets, also by Marco Bicego, is very chic. Everyday luxury.

The best gift I ever received was: My Wheaten Terrier, Bella. She is an absolute delight and is always so excited to see me when I get home from work.

I am inspired by: My partner Kent, who is forever calm and positive. He is usually always right, which is really annoying!

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is: Just do it! It is so easy to procrastinate and think of excuses, but if you are really wanting to achieve something, I love this simple piece of advice.

What are you looking forward to in 2022? I am super excited to be expanding my store in Parnell to having a larger, luxury, Italian inspired space, for jewellery and my own high jewellery and engagement rings. I have a passion for design and love creating one-of-a-kind pieces and quality engagement rings with beautiful diamonds. Being a diamond grader, I love selecting diamonds that are really going to perform and sparkle. I am still apprehensive about travelling - the world is still too unsettled, but I love being able to bring Italian style to women in New Zealand.

What advice would you give your younger self? 'Don't take life too seriously. Smile a little, laugh a lot and treasure every moment'.

FASHION + STYLE @ZEBRANO

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1. Maaike Infinite Dress - $453

2. Moke Karen Trench - $277

3. Curate Ill Be There Top - $259

4. Lemon Tree What Sweatshirt - $163

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ZEBRANO, 22 Morrow Street, Newmarket - opposite Westfield, T: 09 523 2500, www.zebrano.co.nz

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CRANE BROTHERS OPEN ITS NEW PONSONBY STORE

After nearly 23 years in business, local menswear brand Crane Brothers will open its first Ponsonby store.

Located in Three Lamps at 271 Ponsonby Road, the store represents a major expansion for the business and comes at a time of strategic realignment with an expansion of the offer from purely suit-centric to a complete lifestyle brand for men.

“We’d always resisted having more than one store in any city,” says founder Murray Crane, “but it felt like the right time to expand our footprint with a new door. Importantly, we have a great, experienced team so we feel confident that our standards will be maintained. Between changes in the CBD and Covid-19, there’s been a dramatic shift in how our clients live and work. It’s been difficult for many of them to get into the city, so it made sense for us to bring what we do to them.”

Crane says that the pandemic has also accelerated a general shift in how men are dressing - something the store’s fit out and product will reflect. “Even before the pandemic, men were beginning to dress less formally as workplace guidelines relaxed. With the move towards flexible and remote working, this has accelerated and we’ve found that a lot of men don’t necessarily know what they should wear instead of a suit.

“Tailoring remains the foundation of the brand, but with the new range we have showcased what a new contemporary wardrobe looks like, with a lot of classic, sophisticated options that fall outside of a traditional two-piece suit or jacket and trouser. Smart knitwear, casual jackets, denim - these are all essential parts of how men dress for their day. What’s exciting is that everything on offer is available made-to-measure, so even if you’re selecting something as simple as a pair of chinos, you’re getting the same attention to detail, selection and personalisation that we’ve always offered with suits.”

For the interior, the focus was on creating a space that shared some references with the High Street flagship whilst charting its own course. “This is a more relaxed space and we wanted that to feel evident when people entered,” says Crane. “We want everyone to feel at ease and at home here, like they can really take their time.” Centred around a restored French draper’s table, with bespoke racking and hand-blown glass light fixtures, the store is a warmer, softer space, keeping in line with the more easy-wearing product offer.

It’s a significant move in what is currently a challenging market, but Crane sees positive opportunities with a new store. “Many of the internal changes we’ve made at Crane Brothers were well under way before Covid-19 hit, so it’s left us in quite a strong position,” says Crane. “We’ve invested heavily in digital over the past year, which has paid off for us, but we really believe in bricks and mortar. I built this business around that personal experience that you can only get in store, and after 23 years in the city I’m excited to be able to bring that to Ponsonby as well.”

CRANE BROTHERS, 271 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 217 1271, www.crane-brothers.com