Hanna Martin's New Collection

Last night saw me rubbing shoulders (and everything else) with London's coolest fash fans as we crammed into Dover Street Market to witness the unveiling of hot-right-now Hannah Martin's new jewellery collection, The Man Who Knows Everything.

Ramping the drama levels to the max Martin had teamed up with German designer/artist, Moritz Waldemayer, to create an installation which saw a bejewelled prism suspended in a black obelisk and surrounded by lazers which emitted noises when plucked. With a film by SHOWstudio playing in the background, and dry ice swirling through the darkness, it was quite the sci-fi experience.

Inspired by Le Comte de Saint Germain – an alchemist who apparently lived for 400 years – and a quote by the French philosopher, Voltaire, who claimed: 'The man who knows everything never dies', the installation also featured an augmented reality machine (magic box?) which let guests 'try on' the expensive jewels.

You'd never think from the crummy image below that I asked a man with his own very fancy camera to capture the moment my cardboard ring became a multi-thousand pound, limited edition masterpiece. Disappointing. You'll just have to imagine it.

Crystal Clear

Currently lighting up the windows of London’s Dover Street market, this installation of Baccarat chandeliers is Rei Kawakubo’s homage to the crystal-meisters’ latest jewellery collection. Designed in collaboration with Elie Top (the man behind Lanvin’s exquisite jewellery of late) Bouchons de Carafe is a range of hand-cut cocktail rings, pendants and bangles inspired by the stoppers of 100-year-old Baccarat brandy decanters and perfume bottles.

"I decided to go back to Baccarat’s roots”, says Top of the collection which launches in April. “For me, the name Baccarat suggests chandeliers, gleaming facets and French-style luxury. I aimed to revive these design codes, but with a touch of tongue-in-cheek humour. In French, one says that a diamond is ‘as big as a decanter stopper!’ The collection is a light-hearted take on this expression, as well as a respectful tribute to Baccarat."

Check out this clip of Top explaining it in his own words. It's worth a peek just to see his top (ahem) 'tache.