» Diamonds & pearls
The lustrous jewellery of Natasha Dahlberg is worn by the rich and famous and coveted by women around the world
Natasha Dahlberg has certainly travelled the world. Her parents were almost nomadic in their pursuits throughout her childhood and as a consequence her influences and experiences create a multi-faceted view of life that is equally reflected in her work.
I met her at her home to look at the current collection and to talk to her about her ways of working, her clients and busy life.
Married to Jason Hughes (Warren in This Life) Natasha and family are now firmly based at the very eastern extreme of Kemp Town. It is here that she creates the fabulous jewellery that has received such a strong international following with celebrities around the world choosing her designs to wear, not only from parties and premieres but every day.
The look is glamorous and sparkling but never ostentatious. She works in 18 carat gold and precious stones, but often they are rough, un-cut gems that have a different fire in them, a natural glowing warmth. There are black diamonds, champagne diamonds and grey diamonds, freshwater pearls and Taihitian pearls and a sparkling array of other precious stones too long to list here. There are also cut stones and recently her work has included vintage charms.
I ask her how she starts to create a new piece: ‘‘Well much of my work is done to commission and I like to meet with a client and discuss where we are going to go with things, whether it is for a special occasion or simply an addition to a collection. People do collect my work and it is often designed with layering the pieces very much in mind. Some people choose to wear a simple single piece but others like to wear everything all at once, it works both ways.
‘‘American women are very confident about wearing jewellery and I go there twice a year, holding private consultations with a list of clients in New York. Beautiful jewellery should be worn, shown off and not hidden away, and American women know that.’’
So is it true that Natasha has celebrity clients? So many designers make the claim but few will name names, stating that they wish to remain anonymous. Natasha is proud to tell me that her designs are worn by Sienna Miller, Elle MacPherson and Laura Bailey. ‘‘I started by designing cat-walk jewellery for Matthew Williamson and it grew from there. He shows my work in his London store and it is now available from Harvey Nichols and The Cross In Portland Road.’’
As a man I can see the appeal; there are even some chunky rings with giant gems that I want to wear myself, I quietly try one on and it looks wonderful.
What strikes me is that these designs are going to look good with jeans or with a couture ball gown, on a women of 65 or a girl of 16. They are timeless and ageless, fashionable but not trendy, classically feminine in many ways but also fun, frivolous and flightly and in many ways that is a look that many women yearn for.
Prices start at around £350 and currently rise to £6,000 for a very large diamond ring. In America, one piece – the Galaxy Necklace, which is packed with diamonds – sells for £5,500 and is very popular.
From consultation to delivery can take as little as two weeks so there is still plenty of time to order that special christmas gift. There are also lots of designs in her ready-to-wear collection.
A perfect present, romantic, precious and intimate, Natasha Dahlberg creates exquisite bijoux and trinkets for stylish women of all ages.
To make an appointment for a consultation or to view the ready-to-wear collection call Natasha on 07779 245506
www.natashadahlberg.co.uk
