Reinventing old world jewelry for today's dress code

Vintage cameos and reworked charms find their way into rock star bling. When it comes to jewelry, less is not always more, says Erica Concepcion-Reyes, whose barely two-year-old jewelry line Riqueza combines the elegance of decades past with today’s playful fashion sensibility. “I am very fond of layering and mixing up my pieces, depending on my mood. Wearing unique jewelry does wonders to the simplest of dresses,” she says.

Erica believes old jewelry still has its rightful place in a contemporary wardrobe. “Quality classics can be trendy…it just depends on how you style and wear them,” she says. With no formal design training, the 29-year-old began her line by experimenting with her love for antique materials such as hand-carved cameos and tamborin accents. For her first collection last year, she incorporated these into created delicate vests and belts, inspired by a vintage French vest made of body-hugging gold-plated chains.

“The women I design for have a taste for the uncommon. They do not necessarily follow fashion trends. They know what they want. They are more concerned with quality, craftsmanship, and uniqueness of their jewelry,” she says.

Her latest collection of jewelry, launched just in time for the holidays, is composed of statement pieces rich in texture and colors — cascading necklaces, bold earrings and cocktail rings. “It’s a more luxe look, less edgy, a little more historically correct. We have produced about three or four basic lines of earrings, each with several variations. The collection was suggested by Art Deco jewelry, particularly long tassel earrings by Cartier,” she says.

For inspiration, Erica turns to the put-together brand of glamour that marked previous generations of Manila women as well as Old Hollywood. “My inspiration is the late ‘60s to early ‘70s Manila socialite, the young matronas being dressed by Ramon Valera, Slim Higgins, and Aureo Alonzo. Elizabeth Taylor is one of my style icons. She knew her jewelry, and she wore them! She knew that jewelry was far more important than any other accessory.”

“Riqueza is Spanish for ‘riches’ or ‘richness.’ The Spanish word for jewelry is joya, a source of joy, something that is fun. Riqueza’s creations must make the wearer happy and beautiful. They provide the wearer a priceless opportunity to express her personality,” says Erica. 

Her talent lies in transforming old elements into something totally current—and one you’ll always love. “Some people think of jewelry as a serious investment; some manufacturers take themselves too seriously and consider their products as expressions of their ‘art.’ But these concepts make only the banker, on one hand, and the jeweler, on the other hand, happy,” she says. “When you purchase a piece of jewelry, it has to speak to you. You feel an urge to own it. Wearability becomes secondary.”