Make Way: Monica Rich Kosann Introduces ‘Bridgerton’ Collection
Regencycore-style lockets, poesy rings, and bee charms inspired by the hit Netflix series could be yours, truly.
The result: a jewelry collection based on one of the breakout hits of the pandemic era, Netflix’s “Bridgerton,” and the opportunity to take a seat at the Shondaland table with other artists.
Shondaland is the production company owned by Shonda Rhimes, the writer and producer behind “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” and “Inventing Anna,” as well as Bridgerton.
Based on the novels by Julia Quinn and set in early-1800s England, Bridgerton traces the ups and downs of the members of the upper-crust Bridgerton family all while a “Gossip Girl”-esque narrator, the delightful Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews), stirs the society pot with her blind item gossip column.
The first season premiered in December 2020 and it became one of the streaming service’s most-watched shows.
Monica Rich Kosann’s partnership with “Bridgerton” started with a casual chat between the brand’s eponymous founder and the TV show’s Emmy-winning costume designer, Ellen Mirojnick.
Talks about small collaboration quickly grew into much more as the women discovered their shared passion for paying homage to the past, but in a modern way, Kosann explained.
“We connected immediately on our love of jewelry, our love of taking iconic, historical pieces and making them new and modern,” she said. “Our philosophies were the same; it was incredible.”
“The two of us were like two kids in a candy shop together.”
Their synergy sparked a sizable jewelry collection that dropped Tuesday, as well as the chance for Kosann’s company to be a participant in Shondaland’s new “Seat at the Table” initiative.
For Seat at the Table, Shondaland is bringing creatives like costume designers, whose work often sparks the trends that make merchandising from televisions shows and movies possible, in on collaboration and merchandising deals. (Mirojnick’s work dressing the women and men of the Bridgerton universe is one of the main drivers behind the current Regencycore trend.)
The partnership between Mirojnick and Kosann on a Bridgerton-inspired fine jewelry line is the first collaboration under Seat at the Table.
“It’s really been quite an adventure to be working with someone like Ellen and I feel really, really honored ... to have that first seat the table,” Kosann said. “I am flattered they wanted to do it with me.”
Bridgerton x Monica Rich Kosann is built around three main styles: a queenly poesy ring, a bold bee charm, and a romantic locket, pieces that will instantly make sense to fans.
Kosann and her team also sprinkled diamonds throughout the collection, another nod to the show. Both seasons of Bridgerton center on the selection of the “Diamond of the Season,” the young, now-marriageable woman whom the queen deems to be the standout of the social season.
Crafted in the shape of the crown and baring a simple, bold message on the inside, QUEEN, the poesy ring is both a character reference—the most powerful person in the Bridgerton universe is Queen Charlotte (played by Golda Rosheuvel)—and a callback.
With a name derived from the French word for poem, poésie, a poesy ring is a ring with a message engraved on it, be it a religious belief or a pledge of loyalty to a lover or friend.
Available in 18-karat gold with diamonds or sterling silver with white sapphires, the “Queen” poesy ring can be worn singularly, stacked, or on a chain. It retails for $160 to $1,365.
“Lockets are … the sexiest piece of jewelry a woman can wear.” — Monica Rich Kosann
An insightful insect, the bee weaves its way through both seasons of Bridgerton, symbolizing loss, grief, hope, female power and the pervasive gossip (i.e., the buzz) among “The Ton,” the show’s high-society characters.
The “Bee” charm is available in 18-karat gold with diamonds or in sterling silver with white sapphires and can be purchased on its own or on a chain. Prices range from $195 to $1,385.
Of course, no collection from Kosann would be complete without her brand’s signature piece, the locket.
“Lockets are sexy,” Kosann said. “It’s the sexiest piece of jewelry a woman can wear.”
Like the poesy ring and the bee charm, the Bridgerton locket incorporates symbolism from the show.
The wisteria on its front curls into the shape of both a “soft heart,” as Kosann describes it, and the letter “B,” a nod to the series’ central family. There is a bee on the back of the locket.
The “Wisteria” locket is available in 18-karat gold with diamonds and sterling silver with white sapphires. Retail prices range from $445-$3,250.
Welcome back to Bridgerton! Season 3 is officially in production pic.twitter.com/t24N0wX4KT
— Netflix (@netflix) July 20, 2022
Monica Rich Kosann is selling the Bridgerton fine jewelry collection at the brand’s two New York City stores as well as on its website.
Additional pieces are set to debut in the spring.
The Latest
Jamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
Co-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
The man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
The average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
The nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
The videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
Feldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
The luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
The nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
Gearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
DDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
Estimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
The highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
Recent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
Carrie Forman joins the brand to guide it into the next phase of growth with major and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.
The competition awarded 12 designers, each from a country where De Beers recovers diamonds, with business support and tuition assistance.
The high jewelry collection features 14 one-of-a-kind pieces, with serpent and ribbon motifs winding their way through the collection.