For her January edit, Vogue Scandinavia’s editor in chief and resident jewellery obsessive, Martina Bonnier, is all about animals. From creatures great and small, and everything in between, discover the beastly bijoux you need in your collection
Jewellery is taking a walk on the wild side this month. According to Vogue Scandinavia editor-in-chief and jewellery savant Martina Bonnier, "people have always been fascinated by animals and the symbolism around them, and this is all the more relevant as we approach the Chinese New Year."
On 17th February, we transition from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse, making now the perfect moment to invest in creature-themed pieces. Welcome the new zodiac year with Van Cleef & Arpels’ horse clip, or bid farewell to the past 12 months with snake earrings from Rare Jewelry. Alternatively, those born in 1994 or 2006 – the Year of the Dog – might choose to honour their birth year with Skultuna’s dachshund cuff.
The appetite for personalised jewellery naturally extends into the zodiac. Those born under Pisces, for instance, might gravitate towards Carolinne B Jewelry’s koi fish earrings as a subtle reflection of their sign.
However, animal-inspired jewellery is not confined to zodiac or birth-year symbolism alone. It is also a powerful means of self-expression – a way to signal personal preference and project personality. Whether your affinity lies with the elephant, or you have a memorable crocodile anecdote to tell, there is a piece of jewellery to celebrate you.
This rich, animalistic symbolism has long been embraced by some of the world’s most iconic jewellery houses. As Bonnier notes, “Bulgari has its snake, Cartier its panther, and Van Cleef its butterfly,” creatures that have become intrinsic to each brand’s visual language. “The meaning and power found in animal jewellery makes it instantly classic.”
This powerful animalistic lore has also been embraced by some of the world's most iconic jewellery houses. As Bonnier points out, "Bulgari has its snake, Cartier its panther, and Van Cleef its butterfly," highlighting how these creatures form core aesthetics for these brands. "The meaning and power found in animal jewellery makes it instantly classic."
Ready to unleash your inner animal? Shop Martina Bonnier's January picks here:
