Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Kerry Washington on Her Elegant, Josephine Baker-Inspired Jewelry Collection

Kerry Washington on Her Elegant, Josephine Baker-Inspired Jewelry Collection

The five-piece lineup of recycled gold rings and necklaces merges past and present.

All fashion is personal, but our attachment to jewels is sentimental-just ask Kerry Washington. The actor, producer, and entrepreneur is an avid collector whose creative process is inextricably linked to baubles. “Part of how I create a character is by thinking about their jewelry,” shared Washington on the phone from Los Angeles. “Our relationship to jewelry is so intimate; we sleep in it, it’s how we commemorate big moments. When people ask me what my favorite piece of jewelry is I have to say my engagement ring and wedding band, because those changed my life. In many ways jewelry serves as this extension of who we are.”

Washington’s interest in the category goes beyond the personal. Since 2020 she’s channeled her expertise into collections for the sustainable luxury brand Aurate. The latest, called ‘Be the Lead,’ draws inspiration from Jazz Age cinema and the leading ladies whose zest for life gave the 1920s its roaring reputation. “Maybe it’s the history nerd in me, but I’d been thinking a lot about the last time the world found itself faced with dark and challenging times due to a virus and its aftermath,” says Washington. “In the ’20s, people began to celebrate again; they wanted to bring back some of the glamour they’d lost.”

In her designs, Washington captures the era’s exuberance via diamond rings with geometric details and flapper-worthy chains adorned with golden fans. “We wanted that Art Deco vibe,” explains Washington. “As we were going through the shapes that we could pull from, we kept coming back to that. There’s something architectural about the style that gives its elegance an edge.” That concept comes through in pieces like the dramatic white Topaz accented ‘Lead’ ear cuff and the matching oversized hoops, which have an appealing mix of past and present.



Still, the collection isn’t a mere throwback. Created using 100% recycled gold vermeil and ethically sourced diamonds, it addresses fashion’s current concerns. “We adhere very strictly to the Kimberley Process, which is so important when sourcing diamonds and gemstones,” says Washington, referring to the global commitment to remove conflict diamonds from the supply chain, which began in 2000. “When most people think of recycling, its aluminum cans, not jewelry, but recycled gold is an incredible resource. You can reuse gold repeatedly without diminishing the quality or creating environmental decay. Even the pearls are cultivated carefully and come from family farms with respect for the Marine environment.”

Aurate’s principals were part of the draw for Washington, who first met founders Sophie Kahn and Bouchra Ezzahraoui while searching for companies to invest in or advise. An active startup investor, Washington found Aurate's goal of democratizing fine jewelry a worthy cause. “Often, the businesses I take on focus on equity,” she says. “As a kid from the Bronx who now works in Hollywood, I believe everyone deserves to have beautiful things at a price that’s within reach. I believed in the ethos of the company, which is women-driven, sustainable, and working to empower women in leadership roles.”



Dynamic women also played a role in the collection’s artistic perspective. A lifelong fan of entertainer and civil rights activist Josephine Baker, Washington kept her in mind during the design process. “She embodies the spirit of this collection,” says Washington. “She was unstoppable, one of the first multi-hyphenates. She had her own makeup line, a haircare company. She sang, danced, produced, and was a phenom professionally, but she was also a spy for the resistance in Europe during World War II and a complete badass!”

Baker’s journey from St. Louis vaudevillian to headliner at the Folies Bergère and one of the most celebrated performers of all time is inspiring, but in Washington’s view, such tenacity lies within us all. With her creations hitting Aurate’s e-commerce today, she hopes women from all walks of life are inspired to put themselves first. “A lot of our customers are women who are buying jewelry for themselves, and I love that they’re finding pieces that allow them to walk through the world boldly,” she says. “I play the lead in [fictional] stories all the time but becoming the lead within your life is different. You have to be willing to become the center of your story. No matter who you are or where you come from, everyone deserves that opportunity, and that’s what this collection is about.”


AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Global Cruise Industry Posts Dramatic Comeback with 34.6 Million Passengers in 2024
U.S. Demands Brussels Scrutinize Digital Rules to Prevent Bias Against American Tech
Private Equity’s Fundraising Surge Triggers Concern of European Market Shake-Out
Tokyo’s Jimbōchō Named World’s Coolest Neighbourhood for 2025
European Officials Fear Trump May Shift Blame for Ukraine War onto EU
The Personality Rights Challenge in India’s AI Era
Italy Considers Freezing Retirement Age at 67 to Avert Scheduled Hike
Italian City to Impose Tax on Visiting Dogs Starting in 2026
Study Finds No Safe Level of Alcohol for Dementia Risk
Trump Says Ukraine Can Fully Restore Borders with NATO Backing
Europe Signals Stronger Support for Taiwan at Major Taipei Defence Show
Germany Weighs Excluding France from Key European Fighter Jet Programme
Cyberattack Disrupts Check-in and Boarding Systems at Major European Airports
Björn Borg Breaks Silence: Memoir Reveals Addiction, Shame and Cancer Battle
When Extremism Hijacks Idealism: How the Baader-Meinhof Gang Emerged and Fell
JWST Data Brings TRAPPIST-1e Closer to Earth-Like Habitability
Trump Orders $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas and Launches ‘Gold Card’ Immigration Pathway
France’s Looming Budget Crisis and Political Fracture Raise Fears of Becoming Europe’s “Sick Man”
Three Russian MiG-31 Jets Breach Estonian Airspace in ‘Unprecedentedly Brazen’ NATO Incident
European manufacturers against ban on polluting cars: "The industry may collapse"
Turkish car manufacturer Togg Enters German Market with 5-Star Electric Sedan and SUV to Challenge European EV Brands
Christian Brueckner Released from German Prison after Serving Unrelated Sentence
World’s Longest Direct Flight China Eastern to Launch 29-Hour Shanghai–Buenos Aires Direct Flight via Auckland in December
New OpenAI Study Finds Majority of ChatGPT Use Is Personal, Not Professional
The conservative right spreads westward: a huge achievement for 'Alternative for Germany' in local elections
Pope Leo Warns of Societal Crisis Over Mega-CEO Pay, Citing Tesla’s Proposed Trillion-Dollar Package
Poland Green-Lights NATO Deployment in Response to Major Russian Drone Incursion
U.S. and China Agree on Framework to Shift TikTok to American Ownership
Le Pen Tightens the Pressure on Macron as France Edges Toward Political Breakdown
Czech Republic signs €1.34 billion contract for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks with delivery from 2028
Penske Media Sues Google Over “AI Overviews,” Claiming It Uses Journalism Without Consent and Destroys Traffic
Indian Student Engineers Propose “Project REBIRTH” to Protect Aircraft from Crashes Using AI, Airbags and Smart Materials
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
The Country That Got Too Rich? Public Spending Dominates Norway Election
EU Proposes Phasing Out Russian Oil and Gas by End of 2027 to End Energy Dependence
×