Sarah Cotterell, founder of Silk & Steel, wanted to bring the Mediterranean summer to New Zealand. Coming from an Italian family and having grown up in Europe, Cotterell enjoyed her summers in quaint villages, having Aperol spritz and getting sunkissed at the beach.
This inspired her latest Sorrento, a collection she hopes can inspire and transport people to Europe.
“Azurá collection, which we launched last spring, was such a huge success, so I wanted to bring back the same luxe summer beach club vibes with different styles,” said Cotterell.
The essence of Italy is a central theme in the collection. The Riviera and Sorrento designs incorporate beautiful turquoise and lapis lazuli, which reflect that azure blue of the Mediterranean sea, whilst earthy gemstones, like Jasper and Woodgrain, reflect the sandy shores.
“Pearls always remind me of summer and give a fresh edge to this collection. We’ve also introduced our new Valentina heart designs, bringing a fun urban twist.”
This range is also a throwback to the 90s with its high choker necklaces; the Bella choker is a mix of different Keshi, Baroque and rice pearls, giving a beautiful elevated textural finish.
Each piece of the collection can be mix-and-match together. All beaded designs are hand-strung in New Zealand and create extra texture by incorporating different gemstones into one design to appeal to a broad group to express their personality and style.
For Silk & Steel, quality is more important than quantity. They are open to new stores but focus on solid brand alignment, ensuring a good radius between stores.
