Now I have seen a few watch and jewellery link ups in my time. Think special edition watches for racing car drivers, chronographs to commemorate football teams or jewels designed by celebrities such as Peter Doherty or Kate Moss. So when along comes a necklace to celebrate the very grand Savoy Hotel, I am very curious. The Savoy is a temple to Edwardian Britian and the Art Deco age. It was opened in 1889 by empresario Richard D'Oyly Carte, who had earlier built the Savoy Theatre to put on operettas written by his chums Gilbert and Sullivan. Needing somewhere to stay when in London, he commanded the construction of the most lavish hotel of its time, luring guests with all the newfangled luxuries found on his trans-Atlantic travels. The hotel was the first in London to offer electricity throughout and boasted speaking tubes to summon staff to the rooms. The Savoy introduced another novelty known as 'ascending rooms', or lifts to convey guests from floor to floor and later the' Savoy bathroom' with showers and fast-fill baths were the tip top in sanitary arrangements. The Savoy has just re-opened after a £100 million refurbishment and it is polished and shining and ready for another era of glamorous guests. Boodles, the most English of jewellers, has just opened a very swish bijoux of a boutique in the foyer. Head of Design at Boodles, Rebecca Hawkins, took inspiration from the spirit of the Savoy Theatre, upon whose success the hotel was built. The theatre sits tucked up against the hotel and the two share an impressive Art Deco forecourt with its iconic steel and neon sign built in 1929. The name Iolanthe comes from a satirical comedy by Gilbert and Sullivan that premiered in 1882 at the Savoy Theatre to much excitement. The theatre was the first to be wired up for electricity so special effects and dazzling lights added to the sparkle of the light-hearted comedy that enjoyed a succesful run of 398 performances. The curving, entwined diamond-set tendrils blossom with deep green emerald flowers, a shade similar to the Art Deco sign that dominates the entrance to the hotel. The emeralds are from the El Chivor mine in Columbia and tender verdant tsavorites nestle alongside like dew-drops. A delicate fusion of Edwardian grace and Art Deco vivacity, this necklace is worthy of the great British hotel that inspired it. Quick, get my dancing shoes as this necklace looks like it likes a fun night out.
