The Saudi designer behind Paris-based Nuun Jewels gives the British heritage brand’s Feather collection a thoroughly modern makeover with colourful titanium, bold proportions, and chic gemstone choices.

By Rachael Taylor

It is little wonder that Asprey thought of Princess Nourah Al-Faisal when considering which designer it might approach to reimagine its Feather jewellery collection. The princess and the British heritage brand had worked together before, on a handbag collection released in 2023 that was inspired by Al-Faisal’s Saudi heritage. It was a sell-out success.

Princess Nourah’s passion, however, lies in jewels. She is the designer and founder of the innovative jewellery brand Nuun Jewels, based in Paris. It is known for its geometric lines, unexpected materials such as oxidised copper, and quirky gem cuts and settings that bring modernist whimsy to high jewels.

For the Nuun Jewels x Asprey Feather collection, Princess Nourah pushed her team once again by experimenting with titanium, a material she had not used before. The feathers are crafted in titanium and heat treated to achieve soft yet vibrant colours: blues, greys, oranges, pinks.

*L-R: Writer Rachael Taylor, Princess Nourah Al-Faisal, and broadcaster Joanna Hardy at the launch of Asprey x Nuun Feather at Claridges in London.*

Fantastical feathers

Designs within the 13-piece collection, which are all made to order, include bold cuffs and collars of such scale that they feel as though they could be an homage to a fantastical beast, such as a phoenix, rather than an everyday bird of paradise. More wearable – but equally statement – drop earrings have diamond-dotted multi-coloured titanium feathers, while long lariats are tipped with delicate feathers.

Cuts of rock crystal are also used to represent feathers, with gemstones including yellow diamonds, pink sapphires and morganite added to the jewels to enhance that sense of soft power.

“When the historic house of Asprey invited me to reimagine their iconic Feather Collection, I was thrilled,” says Princess Nourah, who hosted an intimate dinner at Claridges in London this week to launch the collection. “I knew I had to push creativity to new heights: volumes, materials like titanium, colours, stones. Every element had to be innovative, yet still capture the brand's essence.”

*Asprey x Nuun Feather collar in titanium, set with diamonds and coloured gemstones.*

Modernity meets tradition

The original interpretation of the feather by Asprey was fairly traditional. The collection was inspired by the Prince of Wales’ coat of arms, on which three ostrich feathers emerge from a gold coronet. Princess Nourah instead took a graphic approach to her Asprey plumage.

“I've woven in elements of Art Deco, which is a style close to my heart and integral to both Nuun and Asprey's design languages”, said Princess Nourah Al-Faisal. “It's been a fascinating process to blend these classic influences with more avant-garde concepts.”

By the time guests filed into the private dining room at Claridges, many of the first Asprey x Nuun Feather pieces had already been sold. This clearly delighted Princess Nourah, who spoke of how happy that made her as then she would be “allowed to make some more”.

And, indeed, more is coming. The first 13 pieces are available through Asprey boutiques now, but there is already a ‘wait and see’ promise hanging in the air, as we are told that a statement necklace is set to be unveiled in 2025. And if it is more of a statement than the pieces already on display, it is certainly going to be worth waiting for.