What's Your Fancy? Cece Fein Hughes's Inspiration Behind Her Folkloric Jewelry Line
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If you were to look at Cece Fein Hughes's moodboard, you'd find an amalgamation of things: art from the Baroque and Rococo eras, tons of maritime-inspired motifs, symbols and tattoos, and scenes of her hometown, Dartmoor in Devon, England. These images are only some of the sources of inspiration for her namesake jewelry line, Cece Jewellery.
"I'm always drawn back to that whimsical, spooky, and witchy landscape of Dartmoor when it comes to designing jewelry," Fein Hughes Hughes tells Town & Country. "It's paired with my obsession with tattoos, which always add that playful fun element to my designs. My dad used to be a deep sea diver, so he's got loads of tattoos everywhere. There's this merging of my childhood really."
Fein Hughs, an art history major, works with her mom to handcraft her signature tattoo-inspired jewels, adorned with fantastical and folkloric designs, from 18-carat gold, enamel, diamonds, and other gemstones. Every piece requires careful consideration—and more importantly, a symbolic theme.
"When I build a new collection, it has to stem from a story," says Fein Hughes. "It can't just be, 'Oh, there's a cute little pink heart and it'll sell well.' You've got to find the right story, which is out there, and then you have to design a collection around it. And for me, that is always going to exhibitions and galleries in London, especially the V&A, which provides endless inspiration forever. Also reading beautiful coffee table books and sitting down with my mum."
Ahead, Fein Hughes shares more of her biggest inspirations for Cece Jewellery.
Secrets Of The Sea Ring
"This was our first ever engagement ring which we created, which was so thrilling, exciting, and terrifying. It's got a 3-carat diamond. This one's close to my heart because of that, our introduction into big stones, but also the details down the side. I'm very drawn to the sea in all of my collections, and I love that this has a little message in a bottle as if there's a long lost love at sea and shells. It's just very romantic and emotive for me."
Apple Of My Eye Locket
"I love this one because it reminds me of old witches and folklore stories with biting into an apple. It's all very creepy, and I think it's almost the opposite of what the design is, which is really playful and beautiful. It's got that tattoo element which I'm always drawn to, with the heart and arrow and snakes. It's quite an underworld actually."
$16580.75 at cecejewellery.com
Abd El Kader Classic Candle, Moroccan Mint Tea
"Candles for me are so emotive, and this is the most luxurious candle. If I could have them all over my house, I would. I always have candles on when I'm designing. It just sets the tone."
$125.00 at bergdorfgoodman.com
Skull & Bones Mug
"If I could have only this brand to deck out my kitchen, I would. It's just amazing. I'm obsessed with the skull and crossbones. If I could have skull and crossbones on all my jewelry, I would buy it all."
$128.00 at astierdevillatte.com
Valentina Dress
"I'm obsessed with Cecilie Bahnsen's clothes. I feel my most feminine when I wear dresses. It's also quite rock and roll. It's this perfect combination of the two."
€1450.00 at ceciliebahnsen.com
Jewels of the Renaissance - Assouline Coffee Table Book
"I'm constantly drawn back to the Rococo and Baroque era in art. I studied history of art, so it feels second nature for me to go back to studying art. I just love the excessive flamboyant, beautiful, over-the-top feelings, the architecture and art of this time. I like to have that in my designs as well."
The Book of Symbols. Reflections on Archetypal Images
"A lot of my bespoke designs are all about symbolism. The amount of customers I have who ask for a forget-me-not because someone died... it's all about symbolism and story, so this book teaches me things."
Pandora Blue
"I think I've got about six of these in different colors and I wear them every single night. It looks like I'm in the Victorian era. If I could walk around the house holding a candle, I would. I don't know what my husband thinks about that. It's just heaven."
Cece's Tennis Necklace
"There's a new necklace that we've just got in—it's kind of mad. It's a 51-carat diamond necklace, which is so major. My new obsession is wearing the If Only If Nightwear nightgown with diamonds. I wore it on my wedding day, which was amazing. From our workshop all the way to the stone setters, we're very proud of it."
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