In celebration of the partnership between Boodles and The Royal Ballet, Boodles created “Pas de Deux: Inspired by The Royal Ballet” in 2015; a dynamic collection of jewellery that translated the very essence of dance into intricate diamond and platinum designs.
Pas de Deux
A Duet of Gems
The Story
Created in 2015, Pas de Deux marked a significant moment for Boodles; its first collaboration in over two centuries, celebrating a unique partnership with The Royal Ballet. Bringing together two distinctly British institutions, the collection reflected a shared commitment to artistry, precision and excellence, capturing the spirit of performance through high jewellery.
The Inspiration
Deeply inspired by time spent at the Royal Opera House, Rebecca Hawkins looked to both classical and contemporary ballet, observing movement, lighting and the emotional connection between dancers. The collection was shaped by this sense of rhythm and expression, capturing the beauty of motion and the atmosphere of performance.
Special Stones
Diamonds lay at the heart of the collection, chosen to reflect the purity and luminosity of ballet itself. White diamonds, complemented by subtle touches of pink and set in platinum, created a restrained palette that emphasised form, light and contrast, much like dancers illuminated against a stage.
The Design
The designs centred on the movement and shapes that are formed by two dancers working in partnership, as well as being inspired by the archives of The Royal Ballet. Through fluid lines, asymmetry and carefully considered compositions, each piece translated choreography into form, exploring both tension and grace while maintaining a refined, contemporary aesthetic.
Heritage
The design process was immersive and highly considered, beginning with Rebecca Hawkins, our Head of Design, studying ballet through rehearsals, performances and close collaboration with dancers. Using photographs of movement as a starting point, she traced the lines and forms created by the body, translating these into initial sketches that explored balance, tension and flow.
Craftsmanship
Through innovative techniques, precise stone setting and sculptural metalwork, Rebecca’s sketches were refined into detailed designs, where proportion, light and wearability were carefully resolved, ensuring each piece retained the energy of the original movement while achieving the precision and comfort required of high jewellery.
Behind the design
Rebecca Hawkins’ personal connection to ballet played a defining role in shaping the collection. Long inspired by both the grandeur of classical productions and the purity of contemporary performance, she brought an intuitive understanding of movement, balance and form to each design. Her ability to translate the emotion and physicality of dance into refined jewellery ensured the collection feels both deeply personal and distinctly expressive.
The Boodles Archives
The Boodles Archive offers a glimpse into a series of exclusive high jewellery collections, each defined by one-of-a-kind designs and exceptional gemstones. Drawing inspiration from places, people and journeys, these collections reflect moments in time translated through craftsmanship and creativity.