Boodles at The Savoy Hotel
Now I have seen a few watch and jewellery link ups in my time.
Think special edition watches for racing car drivers, chronographs
to commemorate football teams or jewels designed by celebrities
such as Peter Doherty or Kate Moss. So when along comes a necklace
to celebrate the very grand Savoy Hotel, I am very
curious. The Savoy is a temple to Edwardian Britian and the Art
Deco age. It was opened in 1889 by empresario Richard D'Oyly Carte,
who had earlier built the Savoy Theatre to put on operettas written
by his chums Gilbert and Sullivan. Needing somewhere to stay when
in London, he commanded the construction of the most lavish hotel
of its time, luring guests with all the newfangled luxuries found
on his trans-Atlantic travels. The hotel was the first in London to
offer electricity throughout and boasted speaking tubes to summon
staff to the rooms. The Savoy introduced another novelty known as
'ascending rooms', or lifts to convey guests from floor to floor
and later the' Savoy bathroom' with showers and fast-fill baths
were the tip top in sanitary arrangements. The Savoy has just
re-opened after a £100 million refurbishment and it is polished and
shining and ready for another era of glamorous guests. Boodles, the most English of
jewellers, has just opened a very swish bijoux of a boutique in the
foyer. Head of Design at Boodles, Rebecca Hawkins, took inspiration
from the spirit of the Savoy Theatre, upon whose success the hotel
was built. The theatre sits tucked up against the hotel and the two
share an impressive Art Deco forecourt with its iconic steel and
neon sign built in 1929. The name Iolanthe comes from a satirical
comedy by Gilbert and Sullivan that premiered in 1882 at the Savoy
Theatre to much excitement. The theatre was the first to be wired
up for electricity so special effects and dazzling lights added to
the sparkle of the light-hearted comedy that enjoyed a succesful
run of 398 performances. The curving, entwined diamond-set tendrils
blossom with deep green emerald flowers, a shade similar to the Art
Deco sign that dominates the entrance to the hotel. The emeralds
are from the El Chivor mine in Columbia and tender verdant
tsavorites nestle alongside like dew-drops. A delicate fusion of
Edwardian grace and Art Deco vivacity, this necklace is worthy of
the great British hotel that inspired it. Quick, get my dancing
shoes as this necklace looks like it likes a fun night out.
