Necklaces: Vanessa Baroni

After layering up a few fine necklaces this summer and getting into a tangle, I’ve decided it’s too much of a faff. Basically, I was trying to make-do with the jewellery I have – and what’s needed is a selection of necklaces of different lengths and weights. Wearing similar chains is the way to end up with your necklaces in a twist.

Jewellery designer Vanessa Baroni has the right idea. Bigger, chunkier designs are more of a statement, less of a palaver.

And this is probably why her best-selling chain necklaces and supersized baubles are all over the place, right now. See Harriet Harman and yours truly. After studying international marketing and European business in London, and design in Milan, and working for several fashion PR agencies, Baroni launched her eponymous label in 2010. She couldn’t find exactly the right costume jewellery and so set out to make her own.

Most pieces are crafted from acetate, which is lightweight, durable and comfortable to wear. Perfect. I can’t stand anything too heavy around my neck. The jewellery is cast, polished, and assembled by hand in Italy, and finished off with gold-plated hardware.

Mega pearls and understated tailoring, yes please.

The Gabrielle Chanel exhibition opens at the V&A on Saturday – it’s time to pile on the costume jewellery.

The popular chunky chain

Vanessa Baroni is available online; and also at Fenwick in the UK, and Verishop in the US.

Tips on necklace layering over on Patreon HERE (subscriber-only), and HERE.

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