On Sunday at Paris Fashion Week, the great, the good and the impossibly glamorous turned up to watch the debut catwalk show of Messika, the high jewellery brand which was launching its second collection with one of the most famous supermodels of all time: Kate Moss. Messika by Kate Moss Opus 2 was as glittering an occasion as you might expect, held in the lush gardens of the Ritz Hotel, and with a front row that included Cardi B, Tina Kunakey, Jordan Barrett and Evan Mock. The pieces majored in mega-watt glamour coupled with a bohemian spirit (think upper arm bracelets, chandelier earrings and body chains). To celebrate, read our story, from October 2020, about the first creative collaboration between Valérie Messika, the founder and creative director of Messika, and Moss.
SEE: Our Five Favourite Looks From Messika by Kate Moss Opus 2
.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
1 of 5Messika by Kate Moss Opus 2
.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
2 of 5Messika by Kate Moss Opus 2
.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
3 of 5Messika by Kate Moss Opus 2
.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
4 of 5Messika by Kate Moss Opus 2
.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
5 of 5Messika by Kate Moss Opus 2
Given the chance for a fantasy rummage through any A-lister’s wardrobe, no doubt one name would pop up again and again as the dream subject: Kate Moss. The bad news is, that has to remain a fantasy for now (sorry!). The good news? Jewellery house Messika is delivering the next best thing – a collection designed in collaboration with Kate, inspired by her own trinkets and treasures.
‘It was a spontaneous decision to collaborate on a high jewellery collection with Kate,’ explains Valérie Messika, who says the model has always been a muse to her. ‘I met her last year at the Ritz. Surprisingly, she was wearing a lot of jewellery, and I was curious to know the various stories behind her jewels. That’s when I discovered that Kate is obsessedwith jewellery; particularly high jewellery. I took a chance and asked her if she would like to co-design a high jewellery collection with me. She said yes straight away!’
Kate’s instantaneous response makes sense. After decades working in fashion – as a model and now a designer – she says the best wisdom she can impart is ‘trust your instincts’. That confidence and conviction translates into everything she wears (‘I choose my jewellery to suit my mood and the occasion, so it’s always changing,’ she says). So it’s unsurprising that Kate’s own jewellery box – a treasure trove whose contents range from the ’20s to the ’70s (her favourite eras), to the jewellery she has gifted herself and that which her partner, Nikolai von Bismarck (who she says ‘really understands my taste’ and shot the accompanying campaign), has picked up on his travels – became the natural jumping-off point.
‘I brought my jewellery box to our first design meeting so she could see pieces that I love and to give [Valérie] an understanding of my bohemian taste,’ says Kate. ‘Valérie did a great job interpreting my taste into the aesthetic of Messika.’
‘When Kate showed me her jewellery box, I saw many styles across vintage jewels and ornate pieces from India, which initially seemed far from the design aesthetic of Messika. However, I love to challenge myself through new design,’ says Valérie. ‘I enjoy infusing various inspirations into the DNA of the house. It was an exciting creative challenge to entwine Kate’s personal tastes with the key codes of Messika.’
The result is an eclectic, ultra-glamorous collection that seamlessly fuses bohemian, Indian and art deco influences. Kate signatures, like XXL earrings, tassel necklaces and gobstopper rings, are present, as are unexpected additions, such as a diamond headpiece, cascading ear cuff and even a piece of hat jewellery.
Kate is reluctant to play favourites but, as with everything she wears, the collection is designed to be worn with an irreverent, anything-goes spirit. ‘Dress it down to create a simple statement. I love wearing diamonds with denim shorts and a T-shirt,’ says Kate. ‘The Kolor set with green malachite was inspired by some of the Indian pieces I have and so suits a bohemian vibe, very Talitha Getty. Boho tassel, baguette bracelets are perfect for the evening. I imagine the SophistiKate set being the ideal accessory for a long beach lunch; I love the ankle bracelet teamed with a bikini. The elegance and simplicity of the K-Lace set works perfectly for a night out, I see it working seamlessly with a black cocktail dress.’
Kate was liberated by the lack of constraints during the design process. ‘I don’t like rules; I like breaking rules,’ she says. While diamonds might be in the fantasy realm for many, this is a pertinent takeaway: shimmer, sparkle and trust your instincts.
SEE: The Style Lessons We Have Learnt From Kate Moss
1 of 46Johnny Depp's Jeans
OK, they're probably not Johnny's, but they are an excellent pair of boyfriend jeans nonetheless. Moss had tomboy-effortless-chic down to a tee.
2 of 46Back To Black
In more recent years, Moss has been seen in black, on black, on black. It's a colour she's always felt comfortable in, just look at her endless collection of LBDs.
3 of 46Arm Candy
An upper arm bracelet sounds... questionable. On Moss? It's genius.
4 of 46Ballet Is Best
Moss is a huge fan of the ballet pump, short-shorts combo, so she'll be pleased to know they're back in fashion.
5 of 46Swing Low
Arguably the woman responsible for making low slung belts A Thing, this combo is so good it's making us rethink our accessories.
6 of 46Ginsberg Is God
Moss was one of the first celebrities to put Bella Freud's self-titled fashion label on the map. In particular, her famous knitted slogan jumpers.
7 of 46Biker Babe
A timeless pairing for Moss? Biker boots and skinny jeans.
8 of 46Bolero Bolero
There was a time when we associated bolero jackets with our grandmothers, but not since Moss started wearing them. Now they're a staple of any going-out outfit.
9 of 46Floaty Dresses
She was wearing them long before the midi became popular again.
10 of 46Cut It Out
Moss isn't scared of a cutout number, and believe us, there are more daring dresses than this one.
11 of 46Double Demin
Britney and Justin, take note: this is how you do double denim.
12 of 46Fancy Dress
Moss loves a fancy dress party. Over the years she's dressed up as a cowgirl for Ronnie Wood's birthday party, paid homage to David Bowie, and hosted a few birthday fancy dress parties of her own.
13 of 46Favourite Fedoras
Moss has been photographed countless times sporting a fedora, specifically in the Pete days. One can only presume it's her favourite style of hat, so it's ours too.
14 of 46Gone Fishing
Proving that fishnet tights can be chic.
15 of 46Fashion Flare
While we will always associate Moss with skinny jeans, she also makes a strong case for flares.
16 of 46Glastonbury Goddess
She basically invented 'festival dressing' and summers haven't been the same since.
17 of 46Fifty Shades of Grey
Grey jeans are the new black, according to the gospel of Moss.
18 of 46Festival Fashion
Hunter wellies have been around for over 150 years but when Moss wore them to Glastonbury festival in 2005, they suddenly became hot property.
19 of 46Icon T-Shirts
She even makes a humble T-shirt look excellent.
20 of 46Jumpsuit Joy
Move over party dress, hello party jumpsuit. Remember the star-print black and gold number she wore for her 34th birthday? Or maybe you recall the teal sequin jumpsuit she wore for her 30th birthday. Both equally as fabulous.
21 of 46Leopard Print
It's a neutral.
22 of 46Little Black Dress
Not since Audrey Hepburn has someone proved the power of a LBD.
23 of 46Modern Mary Janes
Moss is fond of Mary-Janes and manages to make them look super modern.
24 of 46Matching Leathers
Boyfriend or no boyfriend, get yourself down to your nearest charity shop and find an old leather jacket ASAP.
25 of 46MET Gala Millinery
The iconic MET Gala Saint Laurent turban, courtesy of Marc Jacobs.
26 of 46Pretty In Pink
Don't be fooled but the rock n roll, head-to-toe, all-black looks, Moss can be feminine when she wants to be.
27 of 46Pixie Cut
Moss' life has endured some controversy, but none like how some people felt when she got a pixie cut... We're thinking she wasn't sold either, since she never went so short again.
28 of 46Pussy Bow Blouse
We're ditching our regular shirts.
29 of 46PJs For Day
Comfy and chic.
30 of 46Super Sequins
Need we say more?
31 of 46Sheer Gorgeous
Who can forget this iconic sheer slip dress? It made her a household name, after all.
32 of 46The Shift Dress
Never underestimate the power of a simple shift dress.
33 of 46Skinny Scarves
The skinny scarf is a trademark Moss accessory. Not for the purpose of keeping you warm, but to jazz up any outfit.
34 of 46The Yellow Dress
She recreated this dress for her Topshop collection and it was a sell-out hit.
35 of 46The Union Jack
Well, she is one of the most famous British supermodels of all time.
36 of 46It's Vintage
Famously, this was the vintage dress that got the McQueen treatment. Moss was finding it difficult to party with a train, so her close friend, designer Alexander McQueen, got out the scissors and made a mini dress for Moss.
37 of 46The Wondrous Waistcoat
In excellent news for Moss, the waistcoat is back for SS20.
38 of 46Wayfarers
A long standing member of the Rayban Wayfarer club.
39 of 46Bridal Party
Moss' wedding dress was designed by John Galliano. The supermodel wanted 'a classic Galliano, those chiffon Thirties kind,' she told British Vogue.
40 of 46Feather Trims
This is another dress she reimagined for Topshop. That, too, was an instant sell-out.
41 of 46Miniature Arm Candy
She was rocking a mini bag long before Instagram.
42 of 46Suits You
Moss knows to rock a suit, and often incorporates an open blouse, for a touch of sex appeal.
43 of 46Wedding Guest
Sorry, but that's what you get for inviting a supermodel to your wedding – pure fabulousness.
44 of 46Shorts And Tights
Moss made it acceptable to wear tight under your shorts, because they're not just for the summer.
45 of 46Girlfriend Dressing
When Moss was with her ex-husband Jamie Hince, her style starting rubbing off on him, as he's pictured here in a skinny scarf and grey jeans. Looks familiar...
46 of 46A Blazer Over Anything
When Moss isn't sporting a leather jacket or fur coat, she's wearing a blazer over virtually anything, even evening gowns.