Introducing Emma Calvert’s V&A Archive Jewellery Collection

Translating the Archive: From Textile to Metal

My latest collection captures the elegance of 18th-century textiles, reimagined in precious metal. The journey began with an exclusive visit to the Victoria & Albert Museum archives, where I was honoured to be guided through the collections by curator Susan North, her depth of knowledge revealed the material stories, bringing the textiles to life.

While the grandeur of the Regency court dresses was incredible, I found myself drawn to the smaller, intimate details: the tiny, deliberate stitches, the sculptural swirl of a ruffle, and the way metallic thread still caught the light after two centuries.

I wanted to give these historical textile moments a permanent, modern form. Using the traditional lost wax casting technique, I have preserved the ornate textures of historical ribbons and lace by casting them in recycled silver.

The result is a series of textile treasures - pieces of wearable history that carry the integrity of the past into a contemporary aesthetic.

Available exclusively at V&A Shop South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
www.vam.ac.uk/shop
www.emmacalvert.com