Racing Life
BYKOVS’ JEWELLERY C
omparison to jewellery legend Fabergé is not to be taken lightly, especially as a Russian, when one’s imperial heritage is so interwoven with the craftsmanship of the French jeweller. This is exactly the accolade that Russian jewellery designers Gennady and Natalia Bykovs have earned, thanks to the level of their craftsmanship. Although their exquisite creations could once be found only in museums, both in Russia and abroad, their work has recently become available for consumer purchase. The horse has long been a key source of inspiration for the Bykovs, its form and movement reflected in many of their creations. The horse, they say, is a symbol of wildlife energy, beauty, gracefulness and power, as well as enchanting and harmonious movement. Reflecting the deep love between a
horse and its owner, the Bykovs’ ‘Favorite’ brooch is an exquisite jewellery/art hybrid, handmade in 18ct gold. Full personalisation can be achieved by taking a hair sample from the horse and then selecting stones to match the racing colour; the horses’s name and date of birth can be engraved on the back of the item as well. The horse head can be crafted from the stone matching the horse’s suit, or from gold or platinum. As a symbol of pride, or a talisman of fortune, it represents the bond and connection between an owner and his horse. “It’s important for us that our works won’t get outdated, that they remain timeless,” say Gennady and Natalia Bykovs. Highly personal, the Favorite is an unparalleled gift or memento. www.russian-heritage.co.uk Sarah Rodrigues
STOW LONDON A
s if being the Duchess of Sussex’s go-to travel brand were not enough, STOW has recently been named a Walpole Brand of Tomorrow, making it part of a prestigious programme which has boosted the profiles of Great British brands ranging from watchmakers Bremont to shoemakers Charlotte Olympia. According to founder Carol Lovell, who launched STOW six years ago, the recognition has created an increased buzz around the brand both within the UK and abroad. She now plans to build on this, securing STOW’s place as the destination for luxury travel goods. From four designs in four colours in 2013, the range has now expanded to include 22 designs across seven colours, with products for both men
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and women. Inspired by travel and designed for travellers, it was Lovell’s own experiences of exploration and the absence of a travel-specific luxury brand that led to STOW’s creation. Luxury is key to the range, but functionality is held in equally high regard, and no degree of the efficiency required by modern travellers is overlooked: think magnetic, removable sections in the jewellery holders, plus multiple interior pockets and phone
charger cases. The expression ‘wanderluxe’ has been coined by Lovell to embody that sense of free-spiritedness coupled with a desire for quality. The fact that each STOW product, which can be personalised in a number of ways, ranging from monogramming and embossing to hand painting, is intended to be cherished and kept - for a lifetime and beyond - is further linked to a respect for the world we inhabit and an acknowledgement of what disposable consumerism does to it. “A STOW spirit prefers to be doing, not having,” says Lovell. “Travelling is the ultimate ‘doing’ experience and our products are a luxurious and longlasting travel accessory for those who seek to experience the world we live in.” www.stowlondon.co.uk Sarah Rodrigues
THOROUGHBRED OWNER BREEDER
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