Cece Jewellery’s Cece Fein-Hughes draws inspiration from her early childhood experiences on Dartmoor, where she absorbed the mystical tales spun by her grandmother in a charming 16th-century thatched cottage. Known for her intricately designed signet rings and pendants, all engraved and hand-painted with Champlevé enamel, Fein-Hughes melds her art historian background with her passion for craftsmanship. Her connection to the moors imbues her work with a sense of drama and romance, mirroring the haunting narratives of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.
In a fascinating twist, Fein-Hughes was approached by Andrew Mukamal, the stylist renowned for his collaborations with Margot Robbie, to create a bespoke signet ring for the promotional tour of the upcoming film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennell. Robbie portrays Catherine Earnshaw, a character forever weighed down by her passionate yet tumultuous love for Heathcliff, who is being played by Jacob Elordi in this adaptation. “I was drawn to the love story itself and the landscape that shapes it,” Fein-Hughes shares, reflecting on the emotional significance behind the ring, which symbolizes the connection between Cathy and Heathcliff. Additionally, she created a matching design for Elordi, ensuring their characters are forever bound by these ornate pieces.
While some critics have pointed out historical inaccuracies in the film’s costume design—such as incorporating elements from different eras—Fein-Hughes took inspiration from the actual period in which the story is set, known for its opulent and romantic grandeur. Her creations for this film feature dual hand-enamelled skulls intertwined in an eternal embrace, surrounded by thorny vines that symbolize the bittersweet nature of love and the harshness of the natural world. The pieces also carry a Brontë quote, “Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same,” along with the initials of Cathy and Heathcliff, and a date referencing both the publication year of the classic novel and the film’s release.
Fein-Hughes has built a reputation for crafting bespoke pieces for various celebrities, including a special signet ring for Taylor Swift, embellished with her cat’s portrait, but this project marks her debut in creating thematic commissions tailored specifically for the red-carpet experience. The intersection of her artistry and a modern cinematic classic combines both tradition and contemporary appeal, fostering a hopeful connection between past and present that speaks to timeless tales of love and loss.