Steal Kate's style: Fashion that's fit for a princess
1st Jan 2015 Fashion & Beauty
Kate Middleton and her impeccable outfits have quickly garnered the attention of the public eye, making her a fashion icon for many. Turns out, Kate has a secret weapon dangling from her ears and wrists
It seems that whatever Kate Middleton touches becomes an overnight sensation. The blue Issa dress that she wore for her public engagement photos sold out within 24 hours of the images going live, and the copy-Kates snapped up the £16 Tesco version too.
Want to know the secret behind her looks? It lies within Zoraida Jewellery.
Alexander McQueen matched with Zoraida Jewellery
The 2012 Royal Tour saw the Duchess cement her status as a royal fashion icon with a myriad of sensational outfits. Arguably, the most breathtaking was a golden Alexander McQueen gown, which she accessorised with Catherine Zoraida’s gold double-leaf earrings and matching bracelet.
"The 2012 Royal Tour saw the Duchess in Alexander McQueen, accessorised with Catherine Zoraida's jewellery"
Zoraida remembers the moment well: “The next day, the picture was on the front page of every paper around the world. She looked spectacular. It was a hugely exciting, rewarding and a busy few weeks afterwards!”
Zoraida's royal stamp of approval
Before Kate Middleton gave the jeweller’s work the royal stamp of approval, the more fashion-savvy already knew of Zoraida’s talent. After working for a number of other well-respected fine jewellery brands, such as Theo Fennell, Zoraida went on to start her own label.
Her first collection, Finders Keepers, launched in 2012 and inspired a celebrity following that, aside from the Duchess of Cambridge, currently includes Beyoncé and Alexa Chung.
Zoraida’s work is sweet, whimsical and incredibly detailed. “I have always had a slight obsession with small, intricate things,” she muses. “After a year studying Fine Art at Edinburgh College of Art, I moved into jewellery and silver-smithing. Drawing is still key to my designs, but I find huge satisfaction in bringing them to life.”
"Her first collection, Finders Keepers, launched in 2012 and inspired a celebrity following"
In her debut collection, Zoraida used 18-carat gold plated silver to bring dragonflies, seahorses and leaves into being. It is clear that her style is heavily influenced by the natural world. “I only have to walk into the garden to find the most wonderfully inspiring designs, patterns or structures,” she affirms.
The Dazzling Eden collection
This year marks the release of her second dazzling collection, Eden. Named after her late mother, it further explores the theme of nature. Alongside dainty hand-crafted bluebells, poppies and primroses, she also includes abstract interpretations of "rainbow drops" and "silhouettes".
"Her second dazzling collection is named after her late mother and further explores the theme of nature"
These more conceptual designs are often set with rows of diamonds, making this range much more lavish. “The Orchid is a special piece,” Zoraida says of her latest work. “It was cast from an orchid I had in my hair on my wedding day. It’s a bold piece that always gets a lot of attention.”
As her business continues to grow, Zoraida says she “may move on to other influences in the future,” but for now, the theme of nature prevails. Characterised by both elegance and playfulness, Catherine Zoraida’s jewellery is well worthy of its reputation. Any item from either collection would make a delightful keepsake for a special someone.
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