As the year draws to a close, Emphasis presents the new Manon Collection, a jewellery line that begins with the idea of everyday glimmers. Aimee Yan checks out the collection
Emphasis’ collaboration with international designer Vanessa Chow places the spotlight on the beauty of “small” things such as small joys, small sparks and small fleeting moments. The new Manon pieces continue the brand’s experimental approach to materials and craftsmanship while echoing the sentiments of the festive season, turning the often-overlooked light in daily life into wearable form.
The collection draws inspiration from two scenes: the fluid shapes of puddles after rain, and the scattered glow of fireflies in the night. Vanessa Chow uses soft, flowing curves to shape the metal, reducing visual heaviness so the lines unfold naturally. Diamonds of varying sizes are placed irregularly across the gold surface, like a faint shimmer resting by the water, or flickers of bioluminescence in the dark.
This approach gives the pieces an effortless, lived-in feel, allowing them to move seamlessly between grand occasions and the ease of everyday life. Instead of reserving them for rare moments, each jewel becomes a quiet highlight worn naturally and often. Every diamond marks a small moment worth holding onto, echoing the brand’s message: celebrate every little spark.
Crafted in high-polish 18K yellow gold, the collection’s key technique is flush setting, which allows diamonds to sit smoothly within the metal. This preserves the sense of fluid light and ensures the pieces remain lightweight and comfortable. It also creates a more natural touch against the skin, suitable for long hours of wear.
Another noteworthy aspect is the collection’s versatility. The new designs can be stacked freely with earlier Manon pieces, old and new mix seamlessly without any sense of contrast, instead reinforcing the collection’s enduring language of expandability.
Vanessa Chow’s background spans fashion, photography and image design. Her jewellery vocabulary is not built on bold sculptural statements, but on sensitivity. Combining the intuition of someone who understands which lines work with styling and how to leave room for breath within an ensemble.
She brings out the natural character of the Manon Collection even further: jewellery that does not dominate the look, but subtly reflects the wearer’s own qualities. This is why Emphasis continues to collaborate with her to keep the collection modern yet grounded in thoughtful detail.
To accompany the launch, the brand is introducing a member-exclusive Christmas snow globe workshop, a way of materialising their message to celebrate every little spark. Through hands-on creation, participants are invited to rediscover the joy found in life’s smallest moments.
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