AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
EditorsMar 05, 2018
2 British Designers on Meeting the Queen
Queen Elizabeth II made a surprise appearance at London Fashion Week.
Here, designer Dalia Daou shows her latest collection to the Queen of England during London Fashion Week.
When the young designers who comprise Rock Vault—the British fine jewelry incubator created by the British Fashion Council and Stephen Webster—recently showed their collections at London Fashion Week, they had no idea they would be hosting a very prestigious guest.
Last month at London Fashion Week’s Designer Showrooms, located at 180 The Strand, the Rock Vault designers were presenting their collections to buyers and press when they were suddenly told to tidy up their booths and prepare their most special pieces in advance of a VIP’s arrival. As security entered the building, the designers tried to guess who the mystery visitor could be.
An hour later the VIP arrived; it was Queen Elizabeth II.
Rush introduced the queen to many of the brands presenting their fall/winter 2018 collections in the Designer Showrooms, including the Rock Vault jewelers.
Among them was design duo Shimell + Madden.
“I spoke to the queen about the craftsmanship involved in each our pieces, and explained that we create everything from start to finish in our London studio,” Emma Madden said of their conversation. “I also talked about the gemstones we have used in our latest collection: aquamarine, heliodor, citrine and pearls. She commented on the ‘nice and delicate gemstone setting.’”
RELATED CONTENT: 6 Fascinating Facts About the Crown JewelsDaou and the queen spoke about the former’s royal jewelry connection--Daou’s father was at one time the royal jeweler to the King of Jordan.
“I was pleased to tell her majesty the story of how the queen actually has in her collection a suite of jewelry created by my father by royal appointment, which was gifted to her majesty by His Majesty The King of Jordan on his state visit in 1966.”
Both designers agreed that the queen showed an enthusiasm to learn about their stories and creations.
“The queen was generous with her time,” Madden said, “and was particularly interested in knowing more about us and our work.”
Daou
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
recalled, “The queen commented, ‘how lovely!' about my Sunset Sunrise cocktail ring and leaned in to look closer, especially as she loves color. She was also surprised by my story about my father's jewelry, remarking, ‘Oh really!’”
Daou elaborated, “I was so impressed by how the queen took time to speak to every designer, taking a focused interest and commenting on the distinct features of each of our work.”
Afterward, Queen Elizabeth continued to surprise the Fashion Week crowd as she attended the Richard Quinn runway show, also held in the Designer Showrooms on the floor below Rock Vault. There she presented the ready-to-wear designer with the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.
See below for one shot of Queen Elizabeth seated next to Anna Wintour at the show, an image which was widely circulated.
Daou elaborated, “I was so impressed by how the queen took time to speak to every designer, taking a focused interest and commenting on the distinct features of each of our work.”
Afterward, Queen Elizabeth continued to surprise the Fashion Week crowd as she attended the Richard Quinn runway show, also held in the Designer Showrooms on the floor below Rock Vault. There she presented the ready-to-wear designer with the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design.
See below for one shot of Queen Elizabeth seated next to Anna Wintour at the show, an image which was widely circulated.
A post shared by WWD (@wwd) on Feb 20, 2018 at 9:20am PST
The Latest
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
