Silver Lining
It’s no secret that the luxury industry is still grappling with the general economic slowdown. To thwart this sluggish growth, some luxury brands have been broadening their horizons and pinning their hopes on homewares to boost the bottom line. This week, Tiffany & Co. debuted its range of home accessories, most of which are handcrafted in sterling silver.
It’s the first such line under Tiffany’s chief artistic officer Reed Krakoff, who was appointed to the post in January. It’s not an entirely new venture for Krakoff, however. In 2016, prior to his appointment, Krakoff was creative consultant for the brand. During that stint, he conceptualised a series of holiday gifts, homewares and accessories.
Tiffany’s ethos is that beautiful objects need not be reserved for special occasions, but used in everyday situations. We couldn’t agree more. Why save your silverware only for entertaining, or during the festive season? Why not eat off a silver plate at mealtimes? It’s Tiffany’s way of making ordinary objects extraordinary.
Beautiful things, the brand believes, shouldn’t live in a drawer. Ergo, Krakoff designed a collection of traditional office supplies and desk accessories, employing sterling silver, enamel and wood to elevate these humble items into works of art. Think impossibly chic rulers, triangles and pencil sharpeners that will inspire fits of envy among your colleagues/subordinates.
Disposable paper cups and plates reimagined in sterling silver? Love. Plastic crazy straws reinterpreted in gilded form? Must have. How about a silver “bird’s nest” with Robin eggs, a play on Robin egg blue a.k.a the signature Tiffany Blue? Yes, please! It’s all very wink-wink-nudge-nudge, just the way we like our luxury objects to be.
Tiffany has a long tradition of proffering ultra-refined (and ultra-adorable) baby gifts. The newest designs feature updated versions of classics such as Steiff teddy bears; cashmere and wool blankets in Tiffany Blue; and sterling silver piggy banks, all of which make excellent family heirlooms.
