6 October 2026 |
You can tell a lot about a person from the jewelry and watches they’re wearing. Luckily for us, the women on the following pages know what to choose when it comes to the best adornments out there.
Yoon wears Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon by AUDEMARS PIGUET x YOON & VERBAL
YOON AHN
DESIGNER
Instagram: @yoon_ambush
What watch are you wearing?
I’m wearing the watch I designed, the Audemars Piguet Yoon and Verbal Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon.
Tell us about it.
We were inspired by our visit to AP’s headquarters. I thought about the generations of people making parts there and how they could see the night sky outside the window. It hit me that time is a commodity, something you can look at on your phone, but to truly understand it, it’s the earth following the movement of the Moon and stars. And so we made a black aventurine dial that’s like a little constellation all crammed into it.
How did you come to own it?
Verbal [Yoon’s husband and Ambush collaborator] and I designed it alongside Audemars Piguet. For the brand to trust our instinct enough to work on something together, it’s so cool. There are only 150 of them in existence. One thing that hit me through this process is that what I worked on is going to outlive me on earth. It’s just kinda like whoa.
What’s the story behind it?
When you grow up and get a good paycheck, you want a nice watch. And for some reason the AP Royal Oak, without knowing much about watch brands, stuck with me personally because I studied graphic design. I loved very graphic, geometric lines and just seeing that timepiece, I was like, I need to have this. And this was 20 years ago.
What do you love about it and why is it your favorite?
I always want a complicated watch, so we put emphasis on the heart of the timepiece with its red tourbillon. If you’re into astrology, the color represents Mars energy – something that makes you take charge and go for it. The case also reflects that vibe. As collectors, we usually take the piece out and put the packaging away. But why can’t we make something we actually want to display? So we designed it to be shown off on your shelves.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
I always loved a concept watch that AP did, but it was 44mm and too big on my wrist. Instead, we designed this as a 38.5mm and it was unique. It looks so good on me. I can just throw it on in the morning with sneakers and a tank top but it also works for nighttime with a nice outfit. It’s just so slick-looking.
What would be a dream watch or piece of jewelry for you to own?
More than owning, I’d want to work on a time machine. The concept of time is very interesting to me. It’s something we take for granted and this project made me think about its philosophy. To go to the future or the past, that’s wild, you know? I don’t want to change anything, just witness or observe, not play God. Or I’d want a bangle that lets me bend space and time, so I could teleport and travel.
Beth wears Lovestruck ring in white gold with diamonds by FOUNDRAE
BETH HUTCHENS
JEWELRY DESIGNER
Instagram: @foundrae
What piece of jewelry are you wearing?
I don’t play favorites with my jewelry, but in this particular photo what stands out to me most is my Lovestruck pinky ring. You can have them customized with one or two initials – mine has an E for Elizabeth and a C for Carolina.
Tell us about it.
Our Lovestruck pieces are inspired by the mythology surrounding Cupid, the god of Love. Each of Cupid’s arrow piercings leaves a bead of impact, which you see around the border of the ring. The ring is surrounded by eight baguette diamonds on each side with your choice of one or two white gold pavé diamond letters in the center to represent a loved one, personal initials, or a special moment.
What’s the story behind it?
I saw a vintage ring that had a similar profile, and I really liked that it could work for both men and women. It’s not dainty, it has more of a presence.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
I wear it every day. I tend to wear rings on at least three of my fingers, and I stack them. I eat, sleep, and play tennis in my jewelry – I never take them off!
What would be a dream piece of jewelry for you to own?
I recently purchased a six-carat cushion-cut diamond, and I’m considering my options right now of how I’m going to design it.
Alyssa wears pin by LINE VAUTRIN
ALYSSA KAPITO
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Instagram: @alyssakapitointeriors
What piece of jewelry are you wearing?
A Line Vautrin pin I bought at auction.
Tell us about it.
It’s very classically Line Vautrin. It’s basically a miniature of one of her mirrors that she’s so known for in the design world. Vautrin’s work sits at the intersection of jewelry, art, and decorative objects, which is one of the reasons I’m so drawn to it. It’s almost like a very elegant club pin for design enthusiasts – which is a bit dorky and also the best part.
How did you come to own it?
I purchased it at auction after searching for a piece of hers for quite some time. She was known as a jeweler first before she started exploring larger mediums like mirrors and lamps. Finding this pin, which had such wonderful synergy with her later furniture and mirrors, felt very special.
What’s the story behind it?
As an interior designer, and someone who’s equally passionate about fashion, I’ve long been fascinated by artists who worked in both mediums, especially in the art deco French schools. Line Vautrin is one of those artists, and her work embodies that relationship perfectly. Her jewelry pieces deeply inspired her launch into interiors, so there’s a cool connection between them.
What do you love about it and why is it your favorite?
I love its historical context, craftsmanship, and beauty. It’s quite understated and the materials are pretty humble, which makes it feel very personal for me.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
I usually wear it on a coat, a blazer, or a simple black dress. Because it’s so subtle, it works best when paired with something understated and tailored, allowing the pin to have its moment and feel a bit more modern.
What would be a dream piece of jewelry for you to own?
I’d love to own a piece by Jean Dunand. As the son of a gold smelter, he brought the same incredible metalworking skills to jewelry that he did to his furniture and decorative objects. He originally made struck-metal jewelry for his wife and children, and later his connections with designers like Elsa Schiaparelli, Madeleine Vionnet, and Jeanne Lanvin helped inspire him to explore the medium further.
Becky wears 1980s Bagnoire watch by CARTIER and necklace in silver by ILEANA MAKRI
BECKY MALINSKY
STYLIST AND WRITER
Instagram: @becky_malinsky
What piece of jewelry are you wearing?
I’m wearing a 1980s Cartier Bagnoire, which was a gift from my in-laws the year I had my son. My mother-in-law has great taste in jewelry and proves the best gifts are hand-me-downs! I’m also wearing a silver tile necklace by Ileana Makri.
Tell us about it.
The watch is my first – and only! – fancy watch. It’s the first thing I put on when I have a special occasion. Since I have a young child, I consider any event where I leave the house after 6pm a special occasion these days. I find myself wearing it at least once or twice a week. I don’t love a ton of jewelry, as I find it hard to integrate with my love of exciting clothes, but I love how Ileana Makri’s jewelry integrates so quietly with my clothing. I don’t need to amend my style to make the jewelry work – I just put it on and still feel like myself.
What’s the story behind it?
My father-in-law bought the watch for my mother-in-law in Rome when they were newlyweds! The necklace became my must-have for this summer after I tried it on in the showroom in Paris in March. Ileana was there and, when she saw me trying it on, she came over and cinched the back, showing me what it would look like if I sized it correctly for my neck and changed the entire look – I was sold on the spot.
What do you love about it and why is it your favorite?
A gold watch, in theory, is extremely decadent. But somehow this one doesn’t feel overly flashy. It’s just the right amount of extra. I would never wear diamonds on a watch. To me, a gold watch is as dramatic as it gets. Regarding my silver tiles, I love that they are matte. Something about not having any shine on them makes them feel more everyday and subtle. Great with a T-shirt. Great against skin.
What would be a dream piece of jewelry for you to own?
A Sidney Garber choker. A traditional Rajasthani flower drop earring from Sanjay Kasliwal.
Ramya wears necklace by LAUREN RUBINSKI and crystal healing sphere by MARISA KLASS
RAMYA GIANGOLA
FASHION RETAIL AND BRAND STRATEGIST
Instagram: @ramya
What piece of jewelry are you wearing?
My crystal healing sphere from Marisa Klass.
Tell us about it.
I’ve known Marisa for a very long time, for over 20 years at least. Her creative designs have come to focus on special healing stones and pieces from nature that really speak to me on more than an aesthetic level, down to the true healing powers of stones. This is one of Marisa’s most special healing crystal pieces; it’s a moonstone, and moonstone symbolizes intuition, emotional balance, new beginnings, and feminine energy. These are all things I have been recently focused on in my life.
How did you come to own it?
Marisa shared a few new things she was working on and as soon as I saw it, it just called to me.
What do you love about it and why is it your favorite?
It’s very hard for me to narrow down my collection to one favorite piece. I chose those because I truly believe they have helped guide me in areas of my life in the last year that I needed help in, as woo woo as that may sound.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
I wear my healing sphere quite a lot, but I find myself gravitating towards it when I don’t even realize I need it. I wore it recently while styling a photoshoot; I knew it was going to be an intense day and the sphere helped me manifest a wonderfully fun and creative day with the team. We shot with Tommy Ton, and he took these photos in between looks.
What would be a dream piece of jewelry for you to own?
I am actually looking for a watch, as I haven’t worn one in some time. I love the idea of a vintage Cartier from my friend Leszek Garwacki of Keeper Vintage. He has the best selection of vintage watches and is so knowledgeable and kind. Dipping your toe in the vintage watch world can be intimidating if you don’t know the seller etc. He has impeccable taste and will never steer you wrong!
Alexis wears gold wire necklace with charms by DEZSO SARA BELTRAN, MARLO LAZ, FOUNDRAE, SELIM MOUZANNAR and VIOLETTE
ALEXIS WOLFE
ELLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FASHION AND ACCESSORIES
Instagram: @awolfestyle
What piece of jewelry are you wearing?
This is one of my favorite pieces I own. Although it’s not really just one piece, it’s made up of many charms, which I change often. This iteration on a gold wire feels modern and clean right now. Regardless of which charms are hung, it’s all about my love of summer and beach and sea.
Tell us about this piece.
Some of the bigger carved charms like the black onyx coconut with diamond and Capri shell in amber are from Deszo. Yellow gold and diamond medallions in multiple sizes from Marlo Laz and FoundRae round out the coral sea creatures, which I found at a family-owned jewelry shop on the island of Favignana off the coast of Sicily.
How did you come to own it?
Over the years, many of these charms were gifts from my husband and kids to mark special moments. Several pieces were gifts from the designers like Selim Mouzannar and Violette themselves, as I have been a huge supporter of independent brands.
What’s the story behind it?
Each charm has its own story. One that stands out is the white cowry shell, which I found on a white, fine-sand beach on a small island off Mozambique. I had visited Mozambique to write about ruby mines for Elle. Upon my return home, I gave the shell and a small ruby from the mine to Sara Beltrán of Dezso to set together and produce a custom charm. It came out even better than I expected.
What do you love about it and why is it your favorite?
As a child of the ’80s, I was obsessed with plastic charm necklaces. Each charm was over the top and fun to play with. The necklace I wear now is a grown-up version of the one I loved in childhood.
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
In the summer, and I switch charms in and out based on the outfit. My go-to summer wardrobe is a T-shirt or a button-down with jean shorts and flip flops. This necklace looks perfect with either especially with a summer tan.
What would be a dream piece of jewelry for you to own?
Hands down it would be a David Webb totem necklace. I love the unique color and stone combinations and the way in which it can easily work with jeans as well as a tuxedo.
Beverly wears necklace and ring in 18k yellow gold by TABAYER
BEVERLY NGUYEN
STYLIST, EDITOR AND FOUNDER BEVERLY 1975
Instagram: @thatgirlbeverly
What piece of jewelry are you wearing?
An 18k yellow gold pinky ring and necklace by Tabayer.
Tell us about this piece.
It’s a statement piece, and the necklace has a nice weight to it, though it hangs on a very delicate chain. I love that both feel organic in shape and are inspired by Noguchi and Brâncuși, two of my favorite sculptors.
How did you come to own it?
Through doing a photo project with friends – including the photographer Anna, who captured me in the image for this interview.
What do you love about it and why is it your favorite?
I love the power jewelry can possess. This ring, particularly through its shape and weight, feels like my personality represented through a wearable ornament. I cherish the complexity of design of the ring deeply and that creates a connection between myself and the designer. Another layer of power!
When do you wear it and what do you wear it with?
It’s not an everyday ring for me; it’s a special occasion and a vacation piece when I want to look polished while wearing nothing at all.
What would be a dream piece of jewelry for you to own?
Something I once owned but lost: a Cartier Panthère watch in 18k gold.
Taken from 10 Magazine USA Issue 7 – HERITAGE, LEGACY, FUTURE – out September 18! Order your copy here.
Me & My Watch
Photographers CARLOS RUIZ, TOMMY TON, ANNA RITSCH
