If there’s one thing we could all do with more of at the moment, it’s reasons to smile. So it’s timely that The Smiley Company, originator of the famous yellow emoticon, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a plethora of creative collaborations, including with many jewellery houses. Messika has joined in the celebrations by teaming up with graffiti artist André Saraiva to create two diamond-studded Messika Smiley face necklaces as a tribute.
The first design is a small Messika Lucky Move pendant with a Smiley face icon, conceived in yellow diamonds framed with white gold pavé.
Then there’s the Lucky Move XXL necklace. This sees the Smiley face immortalised as a 43mm disc set with hundreds of yellow and white diamonds, totalling 7.90 carats. Inscribed with the number 50 on its reverse, this XXL Smiley also happens to be the most expensive in the world.
A third design is a reinterpretation of Messika‘s playful My Move collection. This features a black rubber bracelet covered in dancing Smiley faces, accompanied by a diamond-set embellishment.
The Smiley face was originally trademarked by French journalist Franklin Loufrani. It was intended as a symbol for good news in the journal France Soir in 1972. The Smiley became, quite literally, the face of counter-culture in the 80s and 90s.
It’s currently one of the most instantly recognisable graphic designs in the world. And Loufrani’s son, Nicholas Loufrani, now helms The Smiley Company. A globally recognised Top 100 licensing firm which extends across all sectors – fashion, food, homeware, music, and entertainment. According to its website, The Smiley Company is a ‘fully-fledged lifestyle brand’ that ‘encourages everyone to express more empathy, compassion and gratitude’. A message for our times, if there ever was one.
Inspired by these shimmering smiles? Here are more happy jewels to cheer you up right now.
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