Michaela Coel wears ethical gold by Emefa Cole at the Met Gala

By Ian Thorley

As a co-host for this year’s Met Gala, the BAFTA-winning actor, Michaela Coel opted for a suite of custom gold jewellery by London-based designer Emefa Cole.

The four pieces, each crafted in fully traceable single-mine origin gold, come with a unique QR code which follows the metal’s journey from mine to Met Gala. Indeed, upon closer inspection of Coel’s pieces, a story forms, beginning with the two Ivorian women who run the mine, to Emefa’s design studio and, finally, to Coel on the Met’s red carpet stairs.

“I was already working with West African gold responsibly sourced by SMO gold so it was a natural fit,” says Cole, who hand carves her pieces from wax before casting them. “This is a true celebration of both my and Michaela’s Ghanaian heritage.”

Coordinating with Cole’s shimmering suite was a one-off bejewelled gown by Schiaparelli’s Daniel Roseberry. To elevate this look even further, Cole also created a unique headpiece which, due to time constraints, she pulled in her studio neighbour and jeweller Benjamin Hawkins to complete the design.

The final creation is based on a coral branch and crafted from blackened recycled silver, as well as tiny nuggets of SMO gold, which Coel paired with earrings and a set of cocktail rings.

“There is a great synergy between Daniel Roseberry and Emefa Cole’s designs, I feel timeless in her work,” said Coel, on her final Met Gala look. “There is no greater feeling to know that your choices can impact women in Africa like we’ve done with this collaboration.”

Cole’s pieces will now become part of a brand-new collection, titled Worth Their Weight, which also includes cuffs, a bangle, a brooch and rings.

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