For this edition of Piece of the Week, we’re looking back at another standout piece seen on the show floor of Couture, HOWL’s (Handle Only With Love) one-of-a-kind “Frida” collar.
It features 13 hand-carved Venetian glass pieces in a variety of colors and motifs with a distinctive history.
Each piece of Venetian glass is framed in HOWL’s 18-karat yellow gold “Crest” setting and spaced by accents of old European-cut diamonds totaling 3.08 carats.
The collar debuted at Couture as part of the brand’s latest “Home Sweet Home” collection.
“When designing Home Sweet Home, I found myself returning to the vibrant palette of Miami’s Art Deco architecture,” said Tini Courtney, founder and designer of HOWL.
“Although the collection centers on precious gemstones, I wanted one moment that celebrated color in a completely different way. Venetian glass, with its rich hues and one-of-a-kind character, became the heart of the Frida capsule.”
The one-of-a-kind piece was more than just a standout in Las Vegas; it also made it onto the décolletage of actress Shailene Woodley for the Home Sweet Home collection’s campaign.
Shailene Woodley wearing HOWL’s “Frida” collar (98,000)
For the campaign, Shailene Woodley is styled in HOWL’s “Home Sweet Home” collection.
The campaign was photographed by Robin Harper and showcases Woodley wearing the new collection.
Like the inspiration for the Frida collar, the Home Sweet Home collection as a whole is based on the distinct visual language of Miami’s Art Deco hotel architecture.
“I grew up in Miami, surrounded by Art Deco hotel architecture, a backdrop that deeply shaped my sense of design. My family moved there when I was three as my father was developing hotels in the South Beach Art Deco district, so Ocean Drive became part of my everyday landscape,” said Courtney.
“Over the past 15 years of creating jewelry, I’ve found myself continually drawn to the Art Deco era, and this collection connects that geometry and glamour through my own more modern lens.”
The collection embodies geometric shapes and bold silhouettes through 18-karat yellow gold, Venetian glass, and gemstones including emeralds, sapphires, diamonds, and pearls.
Woodley expressed her admiration for Courtney’s work, noting that her pieces are not only a beautiful way to adorn the body, but the embodiment of the story Courtney imbued in its design.
She said she is “a sucker for artisans—just completely romanced by the notion of someone spending months, years, or decades of their lives honing their craft.”
“I wanted to be a part of her ‘Home Sweet Home’ campaign not only because I was completely gobsmacked by what she created, but also because I knew the stories behind the pieces,” said Woodley.
“To take the architecture of Miami and distill it into a forever chain with emeralds and diamonds… to transform the heat, lights, and pulse of a South Beach dance floor into a Venetian glass relic… is something only an artist who pays deep attention to the world around them can do.”
The Home Sweet Home campaign was released on July 8 and can be seen on HOWL’s website and social media.
The Frida collar retails for $98,000
It is available, along with the Home Sweet Home collection, on the HOWL website.
