Designer gowns show off new jewelry collection

By Raoul J. Chee Kee
Philippine Daily Inquirer

TROPICS necklace from Jewelmer—16mmgolden South Sea pearl set with 15 carat diamonds in 18-karat yellow gold

Pearl collars, chokers and cuffs were all on display recently when Jewelmer Joaillerie launched its spring-summer 2013 collection. That evening, many of the women who attended the event at NBC Tent at the Fort had freshly scrubbed, lightly powdered necks—the better to display their jewels.
Three designers were tapped to design evening wear that was then paired with pieces from the new collection. Rhett Eala, Patrice Ramos-Diaz and Randy Ortiz presented beautifully distinct gowns.
Eala had his trademark layers of fabric that resembled the multiple pages of a huge book. These were paired with ropes of pearls and gold plate. Pearls were also dotted or scattered sparingly across the waist.
For her set,  Diaz used shiny jersey and daring cutouts that revealed portions of creamy skin. Her unforgiving, body-con pieces were partnered with tricolor pearl strands or lariats that were left to dangle from the shoulder or were cinched tightly around the waist.

DOLCE Rosa collection

Ortiz, a known romantic came up with evening gowns with red lace appliques, sexy halter tops with billowing sleeves, and skirts embellished with black curlicues. For more drama, his models were sent out wearing an assortment of pearl brooches, multi-strand cuffs and chokers.
“The three designers each possess a very strong, distinct aesthetic that, while different, came together beautifully when they were asked to come up with designs inspired by the spring-summer 2013 collection,” creative and collection director Gaelle Branellec told Inquirer Lifestyle.
Not one, but three
That evening, the designers came up with not one, but three collections. Aside from evening wear that clung to a neutral palette, they also presented a five-piece cobalt set as well as an all-black suite.
“We formally launched Jewelmer Joaillerie’s signature cobalt blue as it signifies the sea, the origin of the exquisite South Sea pearls.  This precious shade of blue is vibrant like the sea,” Branellec said. “There is also a certain fragility, like that of the state of our seas, that evokes emotion which is difficult to translate into words. It is truly an exceptional color to complement the exceptional golden South Sea pearls,” she added.

EARRINGS, ring and necklace from Jewelmer’s Via Rosa collection. Open petals allow light and air to pass through.

The spring-summer 2013 collection from Jewelmer Joaillerie is wide and varied, but when she was asked to identify the big-ticket items, Branellec chose the Grand Tropics necklace from the Tropics collection and the Pelagia Ring from the Lautitia collection.
“The other ranges include Dolce Rosa, Via Rosa and the Vitta Rings. We also have some new extensions of the Petite Fleur collection that have garnered quite a lot of attention in recent weeks,” she added.
Credit card launched
Incidentally, a new credit card timed its launch to coincide with that of Jewelmer’s. The Jewelmer Platinum MasterCard powered by PNB and Allied Bank is the first ever jewelry co-branded card in the world. This luxury card is for the discerning individual with an appreciation for the finer things in life.

PELAGIA ring

With premium benefits like points redemptions with Jewelmer, reward programs, special gifts, an exclusive concierge, dual currency conversion, Mabuhay Miles, and more, the card should be available before the end of the year.
“The Jewelmer Platinum MasterCard also supports the Save Palawan Seas Foundation, which is a philanthropic conservation effort very close to the hearts of the Jewelmer family,” Branellec said.
Jewelmer Joaillerie’s spring-summer 2013 collection should be available in stores now, although Branellec said some of the more elaborate pieces will first be brought to a number of international