Buyers tune into the vibes of vintage gold jewellery reinventions
Baroque Rocks’ repurposed pieces are winning high-profile retail fans.
"Her efforts, however unorthodox, appear to have paid off. Recently, fashion brands eager to dip a toe in this burgeoning market have given de Sybel a new outlet for her finds. Baroque Rocks previously had a space in London-based luxury womenswear retailer Bluebird. But, after Bluebird closed two years ago, Jo Sykes, creative director of fashion retailer Jigsaw, made room for de Sybel in the company’s Chelsea store.
This year, Sykes says she intends to carry Baroque Rocks’ pieces at Jigsaw’s store in Guildford, Surrey, and feature them online.
“What appeals is its uniqueness,” she says, adding that the focus will be on pieces that complement the colours and direction of Jigsaw’s own upcoming fashion collections.
But Jigsaw is not the only brand providing a stepping stone for de Sybel. Fashion label Paul Smith now features her 9-carat gold novelty pendants, offered in Baroque Rock packaging, in its online selection.
Baroque Rocks’ recent success bears out a wider trend. “Pre-owned in fine jewellery can go in many directions and holds great potential,” says Tyler Harris, associate partner at consultants McKinsey. “Pre-owned could also mean the resale of a branded piece, much like we see in watches. Alternatively, it could mean redesigning and reimagining an old heirloom from one’s own family or another’s estate, which is a more unique definition of pre-owned.”” — Financial Times, [January 28 2022]
by Elis Annis