A Golden Era Revived: Messika Celebrates Disco Era with Gemstone Collection

As a painter expresses himself through brushstrokes, a jeweller crafts art through the fusion of metals and gemstones. Valérie Messika, the artistic director of Messika, consistently displays a flair for intertwining the past with the present in her designs, often with a captivating twist.

While her earlier endeavour, Beyond the Light, transports us to ancient Egypt, her latest high jewellery collection, Midnight Sun, immerses us in the unabashedly bold nightlife of the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Echoes of Studio 54

Messika drew inspiration from this vibrant era, specifically from the atmosphere of nightclubs like Studio 54, the Mudd Club, and Chez Régine, where stars like Liza Minnelli and Diana Ross gathered to dance and revel. Midnight Sun, with its 140 daring pieces, spotlights yellow diamonds, snow-setting, and pearls, encapsulating the extravagant essence of this world.

French singer and model Carla Bruni perfectly embodies the collection’s spirit. “I’ve known Carla Bruni for a long time, but we had never collaborated before. She exudes a colourful and cheerful vibe, and I wanted to pay tribute to her versatility,” Messika says. As the face of Midnight Sun, Bruni ensures that these diamonds don’t just glitter but dance vivaciously into the night.

In this collection, Messika pushes boundaries with her choice of materials, opting for gemstones that represent the era’s disco spirit. “I worked with a diverse range of materials, each with its distinct character. You’ll find delicate pearls juxtaposed against precisely set diamonds, complemented by gold plates and diamond settings that maximize reflection,” Messika says.

A particularly bold choice was her emphasis on yellow diamonds. “Opting for the yellow diamond in Midnight Sun felt just right,” she says. “The collection showcases multifaceted sets, reflecting the play of lights and contrasts and highlighting our maison’s diamond savoir-faire.”

This choice goes beyond mere aesthetics; the yellow diamonds echo the vibrancy of the larger-than-life figures of the era. This grandeur peaks with the Solar Diva set, graced by a striking 35-carat yellow diamond, positioning it among Messika’s most illustrious creations.

Odes to the icons

The Ultimate Party set channels the dynamic personalities of Liza Minnelli and Diana Ross. These stars are encapsulated through contrasting diamond hues, especially evident in a necklace featuring a 20.04-carat pear-cut yellow diamond alongside a 9.07-carat cushion-cut diamond. The gold setting doesn’t merely frame these gems: it amplifies their splendour, echoing the luminosity of the era’s leading divas.

Through each exquisite piece from Midnight Sun, we’re momentarily transported back to those glittering nights when the world danced as if there was no tomorrow.