PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF THIBODEAU/ STYLED BY KATE DAVIDSON HUDSON/ WRITTEN BY KENDALL BECKER
Embodying the epitome of modern-day friendship, artist Beau Dunn and jewelry designer Andraya Kenton met as many of us do nowadays: Instagram. From across the globe (Los Angeles and London, respectively), the duo bonded via DMs over their mutual admiration for each other’s craft, entrepreneurship, and, of course, their impeccable taste. The fast friendship soon went from digital to IRL, thanks to international industry events — and now, it has serendipitously turned into a beautiful business partnership, too, with their first jewelry collaboration under Kenton’s label Celeste Starre.
We’re naturally hustlers – we work hard and know keeping up with communication is key, especially while working from afar.
But even as collaborators, the two share that friendship comes first. “We’re girls’ girls at heart,” says Dunn, while Kenton adds their secret to mixing business with friendship isn’t so hard after all: “We’re naturally hustlers – we work hard and know keeping up with communication is key, especially while working from afar.”
Another secret to success? Balancing their complementary yet distinctive tastes — and they’re confident the 22-piece collaboration is the perfect amalgamation of the two.
Doused in a palette of hot pink, electric lime and punchy tangerine, the collection feels like a natural extension of Dunn’s artwork, specifically her highly sought-after Barbie “Plastic” series that can be found in the homes of iconic tastemakers like Kylie Jenner, Claudia Schiffer and Rosie Huntington Whiteley.
Doused in a palette of hot pink, electric lime and punchy tangerine, the collection feels like a natural extension of Dunn’s artwork, specifically her highly sought-after Barbie “Plastic” series that can be found in the homes of iconic tastemakers like Kylie Jenner, Claudia Schiffer and Rosie Huntington Whiteley. Plus, as another blend of their visions, Kenton is typically partial to natural gold when it comes to Celeste Starre collections, but her partnership with Dunn presented the perfect opportunity to segway into white gold, as that’s the signature of Dunn’s approach to her personal jewelry.
Kenton’s inspiration for design is rooted in symbols of love, luck, health and good fortune and is influenced by the spiritual and stylish ways of her great-grandmother.
She’s keen to translate the beauty of our multicultural world and magic of the universe into exquisite pieces through her lens on life. Case in point: each of her creations embodies a meaning that goes deeper than a beautiful exterior.
That sentiment is certainly reflected through this collaboration, as the pieces draw inspiration from her affinity for the Beverly Hills lifestyle and the recent announcement that Dunn is expecting twins later this year, which she excitedly shared with us as the meaning behind “The Twins” ring.
I knew she would combine her creative genius and love for playful yet classic style — core characteristics at Celeste Starre — into amazing, wearable jewelry pieces women can treasure forever.
The glamorous yet whimsical pieces range from sweet huggies in pops of neon colors to faceted crystal pieces fit for any red carpet –– or dinner date. The Barbie Dream and Rodeo Drive earrings, as well as the Beverly Hills necklace and bracelet, offer a flirtatious take on a classic diamond look, as the gemstones are perfectly mismatched in emerald, pear and even heart cuts set in both white and yellow gold options. Other collection standouts include stacked enamel rings in a range of haute hues that are punctuated with a single Grade-A crystal for an understated addition of everyday glamour. And, as if you needed another reason to add the launch to your summer shopping list, each piece is approachably priced between $75 and $315 –– making it an easy addition to your favorite stack for the statement-making season ahead.
MARKET EDITOR: JACLYN BLOOMFIELD. ASSISTANT PRODUCTION & FASHION EDITOR: LUISA SOTO. STYLIST ASSISTANT: MEGAN ABBOUD. HAIR STYLIST: MARCELA OSEGUEDA @CELESTINE AGENCY. MAKEUP ARTIST: ARCHANGELA CHELSEA @CELESTINE AGENCY. MANICURIST: MILLIE MACHADO @TRACEY MATTINGLY.
