The quietest accessory on the red carpet delivered the clearest message. During awards season this year, brooches took centre stage, particularly in menswear. At the Golden Globes, Wicked director Jon M. Chu’s custom portrait brooches, designed by Italian embroiderers Nerdbead, paid tribute to Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, while Colman Domingo wore diamond ivy brooches by Boucheron, pinned across the lapel of his tuxedo jacket. Connor Storrie’s choice of a Jean Schlumberger Bird on a Rock brooch from Tiffany & Co. proved that jewellery icons endure when styled with confidence.
However, brooches crossed gender lines effortlessly, pinned where they felt right rather than where tradition dictated. Diane Lane’s debut of Lagos’s SML Tiger’s Eye Bee Brooch reinforced the shift: jewellery today is as much about narrative as it is about sparkle.
Brooch pavé-set in a delicate bow motif with 429 rose-cut diamonds and milgrain edging, hinged mechanisms in the end ribbons with tube-set rose-cut diamond tassels, brooch pin, and safety latch. Estimate R40 000–R60 000. straussart.co.za
Picchiotti Masterpieces Emerald Peacock brooch in 18kt white, red, and burnished gold, set with diamonds, an oval cabochon emerald, garnet, and coral. POA, picchiotti.com
Luzcamino Small Winter Orchid brooch in resin and enamel, set with peridots and sapphires in silver and gold. Limited edition of 100 units. €2 500, luzcamino.com
Charles Greig 18kt yellow gold brooch set with green tourmaline and tsavorite. R115 000, charlesgreig.co.za
Cartier Grain de Café brooch in yellow gold (750/1 000) and white gold (750/1 000), set with five brilliant-cut and one princess-cut diamond totalling 0.22cts. POA, cartier.com
Graff high jewellery ruby baguette and white round diamond bow brooch (diamond total 2ct, ruby total 3.30ct), ref. RGA112. Set in 18kt white gold. POA. graff.com, delaire.co.za
Bvlgari Gelati 18kt rose gold brooch set with onyx and pavé diamonds. POA, bulgari.com, bhhboutique.co.za
Oscar Heyman made-to-order hummingbird brooch (no. 200641) in gold and platinum, set with tsavorites, sapphires, and diamonds. POA, oscarheyman.com
Lionheart Legacy Majestic Horse Diamond Pin and Pendant in 18kt yellow gold, set with a mix of white and fancy diamonds (3.80ct) and black diamonds (0.34ct). POA, lionheartjewelry.com
