Words by Sara Moschini
A thing of beauty is a joy forever. John Keats said it in his most famous poem, Endymion, and it’s this phrase that Tory Burch quotes when we ask her why, in her opinion, jewelry is so important for a look.
It’s no surprise, therefore, that this season the designer has decided to make these precious accessories central to her collection, dividing them into seven creative pillars, each with its own identity, inspiration, and symbolism. From the Double T, an emblem of strength and symmetry that is part of the ICON line, to the more ironic and lucky charms like the FORGET ME NOT, CURIOSITY, and GEMINI LINK, to the lines inspired by the moon and the duality of life, like MOONDANCE, or the more daring and artistic PIERCED and RUNWAY lines.
“Jewelry is deeply personal. Whether it is a family heirloom or a celebratory piece, it becomes imbued with meaning and history over time; its value has nothing to do with price. Jewelry can transform a look, or it can be quite subtle, something you enjoy only for yourself. I’m drawn to both ideas — the bold statement earring and the weightless chain that disappears on your skin.”
This is how the bold shapes of the PIERCED line, characterized by the iconic “pierced ring” — a cult detail among brand enthusiasts for its surreal nature and its power to make shoes and clothes special — alternate with the more delicate FORGET ME NOT pieces, which capture the spirit of the wild flower and its dual nature, sweet and strong, a symbol of lasting love. And then there’s the meeting of vintage and contemporary inspirations in the RUNWAY jewelry, along with the geometric strength and timeless style of the ICON line.
“Inspiration has always been the easy part; editing is more difficult,” the designer confesses. “Ideas come from everywhere and in abundance; art, books, music, films… More than anything, I am inspired by women. Their complexity, their individuality, their ingenuity — and it’s women everywhere, from New York to Shanghai and Milan.”
For Burch, women have always been the starting point for everything she does.
“My design philosophy is the same for jewelry, ready-to-wear, accessories, every category. I want to create pieces that last and inspire women to experiment with their individuality and style; I am always thinking about how I can help them feel confident and strong. With jewelry specifically, I am interested in mixing vintage and modern ideas and exploring technique: hand-set crystals, antiqued resin, electroforming, 3D printing… We also spend a lot of time on the materials and construction, so every piece is remarkably light.”
This clear vision, the consistent effort to cultivate a relationship of trust with her clientele, and Burch’s decision to step down as CEO of the company to be completely free to dedicate herself to the creative side of design, have created a domino effect of positive reviews and a true “social media frenzy.” There isn’t a digital creator who doesn’t want to be part of Tory Burch’s Cool Girls club, and every fashion show is a critical success across the board; from traditional media to new online commentators, there’s even talk of a Toryssaince, a Renaissance in the style of Tory Burch.
“Community was part of my vision from day one, from design to company culture and our foundation. I see design as a dialogue — with my team, the people who inspire me, the artists who create our collections, and the women who wear them. They all bring our work to life and give it meaning. At the Tory Burch Foundation, our network of women entrepreneurs is our greatest strength. Every day, we see how powerful it is when they come together: They lift each other up, they collaborate, they become more confident. Their businesses thrive, their possibilities expand, and they continue to support each other long after the program ends.”
The upcoming fashion show presenting the Fall/Winter 2026-27 collection is already anticipated as one of the highlights of New York Fashion Week, but first, there are the Christmas holidays to experiment with Tory’s signature styling. So what will Tory Burch be wearing? And what advice would she give to her clients?
“Don’t overthink it. Mix high and low, vintage and new, delicate and bold. Your collection should be personal, not meticulously curated.
I’ll be wearing a mix of classic and special pieces — a merino cardigan with our twisted velvet skirt and Mini Kira Turnlock bag, or a beaded jacket and trousers. My approach to holiday jewelry is always ‘more is more’… I love our Moondance pearl drops, Chain Wave earrings, pavé charm necklace, and Forget Me Not stacking rings.”
This article first appeared on grazia.it – Author: Sara Moschini
