Verdura

The “wrapped heart” has become a familiar and instantly recognizable design from the house of Verdura. Fulco di Verdura began exploring the heart motif while living in New York, and it was not long before the Hollywood elite became captivated by his whimsical creations. Tyrone Power presented one of the iconic brooches to “give his heart” to wife Annabella on Valentine’s day 1940. Mrs. Mervyn LeRoy, wife of the film director and producer, picked a pink topaz heart bound in gold rope for her collection. It was undeniable: a new fashion was born. These voluminous, gem-set hearts enfolded or softly knotted with gold sashes or ropes embodied the romance and drama that filled the lives of Hollywood’s beau monde. This example, rendered in pink tourmaline, dates to this era when Verdura’s heart brooches first gained popularity.