The Watches of Switzerland Group’s Executive Director UK Craig Bolton said: “We’re thrilled by this new partnership with Susan Caplan, which advocates sustainability by giving jewellery from the past a new lease of life. We continue to drive sustainability as a business by reducing the environmental impact of our product delivery, packaging and service.”
At launch, The Susan Caplan Collection for Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb will be made up of 28 pieces from luxury jewellery brands such as Chanel, Dior and Givenchy dating back to the 1970s. Initially, the collection will be available exclusively online as the group continues to invest in its thriving ecommerce platforms. Each piece will be offered with the same high-quality levels of customer service the group has become renowned for, including free delivery and returns.
Susan Caplan established her luxury vintage jewellery business in her London showroom in 2008. Today, she has grown a successful business and global reputation as the curator of a handpicked collection of pre-loved, glamorous pieces. Susan brings exclusivity, authenticity and contemporary style to vintage jewellery.
Susan Caplan said: “Our vision to curate luxury vintage jewellery stemmed from a desire to see the world’s most beautiful costume jewellery celebrated for eternity. Rather than being lost to time, our collections can be enjoyed by a new generation. It’s our great pleasure to present Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb customers with a curated collection of exclusive, sustainable pieces originally designed and now fully restored to last a lifetime.”
"By offering Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb customers a collection of luxury vintage jewellery with Susan Caplan, we’re making it clear that the products we offer, whether new or vintage, have eternal value that will last beyond current trends. This new luxury vintage jewellery collection also offers customers an exclusive and often unique opportunity to invest in very special pieces that might otherwise never come to market. We’re confident that The Susan Caplan Collection for Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb will open new avenues for the group and help cement our strong position in the luxury jewellery market for years to come."
Q&A with Susan Caplan:
How and why did you get into sourcing jewellery?
I was born into a family of passionate antique collectors and dealers, who had stores in Camden Passage Islington, so I’ve been surrounded by art and objects d’art from an early age. I began selling antiques and found that I was especially drawn to vintage jewellery. My namesake brand was launched in 2008 as a selection of curated collections for a luxury department store that created a synergy between vintage and contemporary styles and emphasised vintage fashion as luxury.
Where do you source pieces from, and what do you look for in them?
That is a secret I can’t quite possibly share with you, maybe one day! What I can share is what I look for in a pre-loved vintage piece. Craftmanship, condition and individuality are a key element when I am sourcing and authenticating new pieces for my clientele.
Refurbishment: How do you return pieces to ‘brand new’ before offering them for sale as part of your collection for M&W & Goldsmiths?
When I am looking for pieces to add to my brand, I am very selective. Many of these jewels have been hidden away, well preserved or never worn. I never buy anything that shows any wear and despite my items being over 30 years old, it is possible to find vintage pieces that have never seen the light of day.
Why do people buy vintage jewellery?
We live in a time where preserving the world we live in is important. Every day we are learning the impacts of fast fashion and the effect it is having on our environment. People are more aware than ever of the importance of sustainability and vintage. You are seeing fashion rental spaces becoming increasingly popular, reselling websites where consumers can sell their items to those who actively seek a sustainable way of shopping and maintaining what we already have. Vintage is not a trend, it is a lifelong fashion statement.
What trends are you observing in vintage jewellery?
The best thing about vintage jewellery is it is timeless. Every decade has its place in modern day fashion. The 80’s and the 90’s are having a revival in jewellery especially with luxury designers such as Chanel and Dior. The over-the-top layer of chains vs the minimalist look is a trend we see daily.
The popularity of vintage jewellery has also increased over the years thanks to television period dramas such as ‘The Crown’ and ‘Bridgerton’. These shows have shown jewellery is still significant in society and it reflects the time we live in. The elegance portrayed in ‘Bridgerton’ unites the worlds of vintage and modern in a way that influences our style.
What can Mappin & Webb and Goldsmiths customers expect from The Susan Caplan Collection?
They can expect a wonderful insightful journey into the world of vintage jewellery, my curated collection echoes my ethos towards sustainable fashion and giving luxury a new lease of life.
