With Skyfall debuting on UK screens this week, London and New York saw stars turn out in their most impressive jewels for the red carpet. London hosted the film's world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall, and the jewellery on display was more than a match for this splendid Victorian landmark.
Stephen Webster recently designed new collections inspired by the world's most famous spy, and he managed to lure the latest Bond girl, French actress Berenice Marlohe, into his dazzling web of fine jewels for the London premiere. Marlohe dazzled in pieces from Webster's Forget me Knot and Deco Haze collections, all set in white gold with hematite and white diamonds.
Judi Dench, who has won over audiences as the only actress to play 'M', returns in Skyfall as Bond's superior, this time with a more central role. On the red carpet for the world premiere, she took centre stage in a David Morris white oval and pear-shape diamond necklace with marquise-cut surrounds, teamed with a white diamond tennis bracelet and diamond studs with diamond micro-surround setting.
Oscar-nominee Minnie Driver and English treasure Helen McCrory also opted for David Morris for the red carpet. Driver sparkled in yellow gold and round-white diamond earrings, paired with a fancy-cut quartz and tourmaline cuff bracelet with micro-set white diamonds, while McCrory shone in diamond drop earrings and a 6ct oval rose-cut diamond ring. As the James Bond franchise celebrates its 50th year, it is worth noting that David Morris has enjoyed a relationship with the super spy for 40 of those. His jewellery has featured in several Bond outings and been seen on countless lucky stars at Bond premieres over the years.
Meanwhile last week, New York played host to another Bond girl, British actress Naomie Harris, who stopped by the city for a Skyfall photocall. Impressing onlookers in a Jordan Askill swallow collar, featuring an ethically mined amethyst from Gemfields, Askill explains how the one-of-a-kind piece came into being: "I designed it to reflect the strength and purity of the stone. Working with Gemfieldsallows my process and final product to protect the environment and stay true to nature." At the Rome premiere, Harris shone again, though this time in Bulgari. She wore a necklace in gold with mother-of-pearl and diamonds of the Bulgari Heritage Collection (1976) and a ring in yellow gold and mother of pearl with tourmaline and diamond pavé of the Bulgari High Jewellery Collection.
Berenice Marlohe also wore a fiersome tiger ring from Carrera y Carrera to the film's Berlin press conference. Realised in white gold with diamonds and smokey quartz, this little ring was more than a match for the Bond girl's feline charms. Skyfall is out in cinemas nationwide now, and sees Bond back on form once again.
