By Tallulah Bullock in London
Bond Street, home to countless designer boutiques and Fenwick, the famous department store opened in 1891, has long been a retail destination of choice for well-heeled shoppers.
A cornerstone of the illustrious street, Fenwick's emerald green sign has become a landmark of the area over the years. The store was recently refurbished in 2010, increasing its retail space by 20%, making way for bigger departments.
Nestled on the ground floor among the beauty, fragrance and lingerie is the jewellery department, a light and airy space that was expanded five years ago to include a carefully considered selection of fine jewellery for the first time. "I think our strength is offering affordable fine jewellery that is classic in styling with an unusual twist. In short, a strong edit of the best pieces in each collection," explains Fenwick's jewellery buyer, Angela Basten.
Fenwick's fine jewellery department may not be the largest, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in variety, stocking a diverse selection of international jewellery designers.
Fenwick stocks exclusive pieces from fashion-forward brand Ruifier from London, including a selection of fun, colourful, stackable rings, as well as fine jewellery by Brussels-based designer Celine D'Aoust, who creates unique brown diamond and tourmaline statement pieces.
For those looking for a twist on classic pieces, Fenwick also stocks a selection of jewels from French jewellery design duo La Brune & La Blonde. Their signature Nude Diamond pieces are crafted using an innovative technique that frees the diamonds from a traditional setting, enabling them to be viewed from 360 degrees, optimising their brightness.
If you're looking for a gift, Vahina Tahi jewellery is a great choice. Handcrafted in Italy, her contemporary pieces include love heart bracelets that can be personalised with the initials of your choice (personalisation takes three weeks).
New to Fenwick this season is an updated selection of pieces from Sweet Pea featuring a selection of unusual hand-picked precious stones from around the world, brought together in classic settings. Look out for the introduction of faceted pearl and sapphire pieces.
A wide selection of interesting and unusual pieces for just about any occasion, a visit to Fenwick's fine jewellery department is designed to inspire.
