Jewelry has long been a powerful way to commemorate life and loss. British designer Shaun Leane has created numerous sentimental pieces for clients and friends, each telling a unique story. One of his most meaningful creations was a signet ring made for his close friend, designer Alexander McQueen, in honor of their friend Isabella Blow, who passed away in 2007. The ring featured an engraved quartz stone over glass, encasing a lock of Blow’s hair. Leane shares that McQueen wore the ring every day, and it was even buried with him. In recent years, Leane has seen an increase in requests for sentimental jewelry, as many sought to honor loved ones and pets, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when separation was so prevalent. Drawing inspiration from Victorian-era jewelry, such as locks of hair in glass roundels and Latin-inscribed scrolls, Leane is incorporating these ideas into contemporary designs for his Memoirs collection debuting next year.
