Behind The Design Around Africa in 10 Days
From the first sketches to the final setting, A Family Journey: Around Africa in 10 Days is a celebration of craftsmanship and creativity. As Nicholas and Honour Wainwright travelled across the continent, Boodles’ Director of Design, Rebecca Hawkins, and her team were already at work — translating photographs, stories and textures into original design concepts. Every image, every note from the trip became a spark for something new.
Behind the Design
Inspired by Africa
From the first sketches to the final setting, A Family Journey: Around Africa in 10 Days is a celebration of craftsmanship and creativity. As Nicholas and Honour Wainwright travelled across the continent, Boodles’ Director of Design, Rebecca Hawkins, and her team were already at work — translating photographs, stories and textures into original design concepts. Every image, every note from the trip became a spark for something new.
Crafting the Journey
The design team sought to capture Africa’s rich contrasts – the bold geometry of Maasai jewellery, the subtle shimmer of Lake Nakuru at dusk, the graceful form of a gazelle in motion. Sketches evolved into detailed renderings, where colour palettes were drawn from landscapes and gemstones were chosen to reflect the light and life of the continent. The use of enamel, intricate stone settings and playful asymmetry speaks to a collection unafraid to surprise, with each piece telling a story that’s deeply rooted in place, yet unmistakably Boodles.
Around Africa in 10 Days
In October 2024, Boodles President Nicholas Wainwright and his niece Honour set off on an unforgettable adventure across Africa, a journey that would become the beating heart of our latest High Jewellery collection. From boarding the Blue Train in South Africa to soaring over the Maasai Mara in a hot air balloon, they travelled in search of extraordinary gemstones, design inspiration and a little Boodles magic. Along the way, they met craftspeople, visited communities supported by our charity partner Just a Drop, and immersed themselves in the colours, culture and wildlife of this remarkable continent. Join us as we retrace their footsteps and discover the stories behind the jewels.
