From Outsider to Red Carpet Staple

When we first approached celebrity stylists with our lab-grown diamond pieces, many were intrigued but hesitant. The concept was still novel, and there were concerns about how these pieces would be perceived. Would they sparkle enough under the harsh lights of the red carpet? Would they complement couture gowns appropriately? And most importantly, would wearing lab-grown diamonds rather than mined stones somehow diminish a star's status?

We addressed these concerns not with marketing speak but with the pieces themselves. When stylists and celebrities saw our creations in person—when they held our Supernova suite or our Bow necklace and saw how they captured and reflected light—the skepticism quickly faded. These weren't alternatives to luxury; they were luxury redefined.

Our breakthrough came when Billy Porter wore our Supernova suite for his opening musical performance at the 2020 Academy Awards. As he took the stage for one of the ceremony's most-watched moments, our diamonds captivated millions of viewers. Porter, known for making bold fashion statements that challenge conventions, was the perfect ambassador for our brand. His choice to wear Lark & Berry represented exactly what we stand for: traditional luxury reimagined for a more ethical future.

This appearance marked a turning point. Suddenly, stylists who had been on the fence were calling us. Celebrities who prioritized sustainable choices were reaching out. And industry publications that had previously overlooked us were featuring our pieces prominently.

Our Red Carpet Milestones

Since that pivotal moment, Lark & Berry jewelry has adorned celebrities at virtually every major award show and gala. Our pieces have been spotted at:

• The Academy Awards (Oscars)
• The Golden Globes
• The Met Gala
• The BAFTA Awards
• The Cannes Film Festival
• The Grammy Awards
• The Emmy Awards
• The Brit Awards
• The Fashion Awards
• The amfAR Gala

Notable celebrities who have chosen Lark & Berry include Taylor Swift, Helen Mirren, Kate Beckinsale, Kylie Minogue, Regina King, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Ellie Goulding, Olivia Colman, Irina Shayk, Adriana Lima, and even Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.

Each of these appearances has helped legitimize lab-grown diamonds in the luxury space and introduce our brand to new audiences. When Helen Mirren—an icon of sophisticated elegance—chooses our pieces, it sends a powerful message about both the quality of our jewelry and the evolving definition of luxury.

The Pieces That Made History

While every red carpet appearance is significant, certain pieces have played particularly important roles in our brand story. Two stand out for their impact and the stories behind them:

The Supernova Suite

Our Supernova suite represents the pinnacle of what's possible with lab-grown diamonds. Created as a showpiece to demonstrate the extraordinary beauty and craftsmanship achievable with these stones, it features multiple lab-grown diamonds set in an avant-garde design inspired by celestial explosions.

When Billy Porter wore this suite for his show-stopping musical performance at the 2020 Oscars, opening the ceremony, it was a statement of both fashion and values. Porter has built his career on challenging conventions and advocating for inclusion. His choice to wear lab-grown diamonds aligned perfectly with his personal brand and amplified our message about ethical luxury.

The images of Porter in our Supernova suite were featured in publications worldwide, from Vogue to CNN. This exposure introduced millions of people to the concept of lab-grown diamonds in high-end jewelry and positioned Lark & Berry as a pioneer in this space.

The Bow Collection

Our beautiful Bow collection, featuring an 11.6-carat cultured diamond necklace, a pair of 2.5-carat cultured diamond earrings, and a 2.4-carat engagement ring and wedding band, took over a year to create. It involved the combined efforts of our small team at Lark & Berry plus numerous craftsmen.

This collection won the 2019 Editor's Choice Award in Design at JCK in Las Vegas, a testament to its exceptional craftsmanship and design. Its red carpet moment came when Julia Butters, the young star of "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood," wore the Bow necklace at the 2020 Oscars.

Seeing our award-winning piece on a rising star from one of the year's most acclaimed films brought our journey full circle—from the controversy surrounding the award to rightful recognition on one of the most prestigious stages in entertainment.

Building Relationships, Not Just Placements

Our red carpet success hasn't been simply about getting pieces on celebrities. It's been about building genuine relationships with stylists, celebrities, and their teams based on shared values and appreciation for exceptional jewelry.

Many of the celebrities who wear our pieces are genuinely committed to sustainable and ethical choices. They don't choose Lark & Berry simply because our designs are beautiful (though they are). They choose us because our pieces allow them to make a statement about their values without compromising on luxury or style.

We've invested time in educating stylists and celebrities about lab-grown diamonds—explaining how they're created, why they're ethically superior, and how they compare to mined diamonds in terms of quality and characteristics. This education has been crucial in building advocates who recommend our pieces to their clients and colleagues.

Media Recognition: From Visibility to Validation

As our pieces began appearing on red carpets, media coverage followed. Publications that had previously given little attention to lab-grown diamonds began featuring our pieces, often highlighting both their beauty and their ethical advantages.

Being featured in prestigious publications has provided crucial validation for our brand and concept:

• Vogue praised our pieces, noting: "Ever since indulging in a couple of extra piercings with Lark & Berry, its tiny diamond studded hoops have been a mainstay in my ears."
• Harper's Bazaar described us as "A combination of ethical and stunning fine jewellery, the London-based brand Lark & Berry is the ultimate destination for statement earrings, necklaces and more."
• Elle recognized our leadership: "Lark & Berry is leading the way with lab-grown diamonds and ethical sourcing."
• The Telegraph acknowledged our disruptive vision: "Lark & Berry has a big bold vision – it wants to disrupt the world of diamonds, which is not exactly known for embracing change."
• CNN validated our celebrity appeal: "[Lark & Berry is a] Billy Porter-approved [brand eschewing mined stones] based in London and is a celebrity red-carpet favourite..."

This media coverage has amplified our message beyond what would be possible through our own channels alone. When publications with global reach and established credibility validate both our products and our mission, it accelerates the acceptance of lab-grown diamonds in the luxury market.

Overcoming Industry Resistance

The traditional diamond industry hasn't always made our red carpet journey easy. There have been instances where industry players have attempted to discourage celebrities from wearing lab-grown diamonds or suggested that doing so might harm their image.

We've countered this resistance not by attacking the competition but by focusing on the positive aspects of our choice: the ethical advantages, the exceptional quality, and the forward-thinking nature of choosing lab-grown. This positive approach has resonated with celebrities who want to make conscious choices without being drawn into industry politics.

It's worth noting that many celebrities are naturally drawn to innovation and challenging the status quo. The idea of disrupting a traditional industry with beautiful, ethical alternatives appeals to those who are trendsetters by nature. This alignment has helped us overcome resistance and build a loyal following among influential figures.

From Red Carpet to Everyday Luxury

While red carpet appearances have been crucial for building our brand, our ultimate goal has always been to make ethical luxury accessible beyond celebrity circles. Celebrity endorsements help validate our concept for everyday consumers who might otherwise be hesitant to choose lab-grown diamonds for significant purchases like engagement rings.

When someone sees Taylor Swift or Helen Mirren wearing Lark & Berry pieces, it changes their perception of lab-grown diamonds. These stones are no longer viewed as alternatives to "real" diamonds—they're recognized as the ethical choice preferred by discerning individuals, including those who could afford any jewelry they desired.

This shift in perception translates directly to our business. We've seen significant increases in engagement ring inquiries following major red carpet appearances. Consumers who might never have considered lab-grown diamonds for such an important purchase gain confidence from seeing these stones in prestigious contexts.

The Future of Ethical Luxury on the Red Carpet

As we look to the future, we see the relationship between ethical jewelry and red carpet events continuing to evolve. More celebrities are publicly committing to sustainable and ethical choices in all aspects of their lives, including their fashion and jewelry selections.

Major award shows are increasingly highlighting sustainability, with some even developing guidelines for ethical fashion and accessories. This trend works in our favor, as more stylists and celebrities seek out brands that align with these values.

We're developing new showpiece collections specifically designed for red carpet moments, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with lab-grown diamonds. These pieces will continue to challenge perceptions and demonstrate that choosing ethical jewelry doesn't require any compromise on drama, luxury, or impact.

Lessons from Our Red Carpet Journey

Our experience breaking into the red carpet scene holds valuable lessons for any brand looking to disrupt a traditional industry:

1. Lead with quality: No amount of ethical messaging can compensate for inferior products. Our pieces earned their place on the red carpet because they're genuinely exceptional.
2. Educate key influencers: Taking the time to properly educate stylists and celebrities about lab-grown diamonds created knowledgeable advocates who could accurately represent our brand.
3. Align with authentic partners: We've focused on building relationships with celebrities whose values genuinely align with ours, resulting in more meaningful and lasting partnerships.
4. Be patient and persistent: Breaking into established systems takes time. Our early rejections ultimately led to better opportunities with partners who truly understood our vision.
5. Tell a compelling story: Beyond beautiful jewelry, we offer a narrative about the future of luxury that resonates with forward-thinking individuals.

Conclusion: Redefining Luxury on the Global Stage

Our red carpet journey has been about more than visibility or celebrity endorsements. It's been about challenging perceptions of luxury on the world's most visible stage. Every time a celebrity chooses Lark & Berry for a major event, it reinforces the message that ethical choices can be luxurious, sophisticated, and worthy of the most special occasions.

From Billy Porter's show-stopping Oscars appearance to quiet endorsements from royalty, these moments have collectively shifted the conversation around diamonds. They've shown that the future of luxury isn't about clinging to traditional practices but about reimagining them for a more conscious world.

As more celebrities embrace lab-grown diamonds and more consumers follow their lead, we're watching the diamond industry transform before our eyes. What began as a disruptive idea has become a movement, with Lark & Berry at its forefront.

The red carpet has been our most powerful platform for sharing this message, and as we continue to create breathtaking pieces for the world's most influential figures, we're not just adorning them for a night—we're helping shape a more ethical future for the entire jewelry industry.