For its first-ever sustainable jewelry collection, Skagen’s jewelry-design team knew they wanted something elevated yet deeply devoted to its mission of making positive change and progress within the jewelry, watches, and accessories space.
With that in mind, Skagen Jewelry associate creative director Halle Millien says Skagen found the ideal partner in CLED, a jewelry brand that uses glass bottles and other recyclable materials to create jewelry that both highlights design and a desire to reduce the industry’s environmental impact.
The result is the new CLED X Skagen collaboration, which introduced four new earring styles in time for the brand’s Earth Day and month celebration, Millien says. Skagen also introduced a new sustainable mission statement that highlights its CLED partnership: “Skagen. Sustainability for People and Planet.”
Skagen has always been inspired by its Scandinavian roots, especially the town the brand is named after at the northern tip of Denmark, Millien says. This maritime town not only has the beauty of its waterfront, but Skagen also has impressive sunsets, all of which inspired the colors and textures of this CLED x Skagen earring collection, she says.
That connection to sea glass and CLED’s mission was immediate, Millien says.
“We are continuously looking for ways to bring sustainable products and jewelry to our brand, so this was a no-brainer once we saw how CLED was making its beads and how it tied to sea glass and recycled glass,” Millien says. “We became fast fans.”
CLED stands for Conscious Lifestyle Earth Friendly and Ethical Design, and a Skagen team member found the Los Angeles–based jewelry brand while she was traveling, Millien says. The partnership with CLED started during the pandemic, so many meetings were done over Zoom, making this Earth Day launch even more impressive given the timing and circumstances, she says.
Skagen’s jewelry-design team fell in love with CLED’s organically shaped eco gems because they were stylish and sustainable, and Skagen felt the ethos akin to its own. What makes the CLED X Skagen earring capsule stand out is that each piece is unique—no two are the same due to the recycled glass used, Millien says.
“Everything in this collection feels elevated and special,” Millien says. “It’s not only a great moment for Earth Day, but you can wear these designs for years and years to come. That’s why we wanted higher-end metals and plating. We wanted pieces that you can wear on special occasions as well as every day.”
CLED’s signature packaging also inspired Skagen in its collab, Millien says. The CLED x Skagen earrings come in a co-branded box and pouch that is made with recycled content and printed with environmentally friendly inks.
“We wanted to make sure we could bring as many sustainable properties to this collaboration as possible and stay true to our brand pillars,” Millien says.
The CLED x Skagen collaboration will continue into the fall, as the two brands are designing additional collections. Millien says it is a three-earring capsule collection that will use jewel tones, kind of like a compliment to this Earth Day collection with its lighter spring colors.
Top: The CLED x Skagen earring collaboration is the Scandinavian brand’s first-ever sustainable jewelry collection. These 14k gold-plated sterling silver white recycled glass drop earrings make Skagen Jewelry associate creative director Halle Millien think of bridal jewelry as well ($125); photos courtesy of Skagen.
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