For decades, jewelry brands have been trying to decide who should make the order and who should be on the receiving end of the fine forever. In recent years, however, women have dismissed these conventions—instead of adorning themselves in exquisite gems and metals. As Kerry Washington, Emmy’s award-winning actor and women’s rights spokesperson, put it: “It’s no longer a man saying ‘Buy this beautiful necklace for your wife’,” she say. This is due to brands like Aurate, which started changing the tide five years ago by making fine jewelry items for women. Aurate x Kerry Washington’s set of lioness is the embodiment of this tidal change, all based around one symbol: the Egyptian goddess, Sekhmet.
Of course, it all started out somewhere. “I first met Sophie [Kahn] and Bouchra [Ezzahraoui] a few years ago, and I became obsessed with them,” Washington said. “They were so smart and so beautiful, and I also became obsessed with the jewelry.” The three of them remained in touch over time and finally settled on the right conduit for their collaboration: the lioness. “Sekhmet is a warrior goddess and the Egyptian goddess of healing … [whose] name translates to ‘she who is powerful’,” Washington says. Recognized for possessing a woman’s body and a lion’s face, Sekhmet is a common emblem of ferocity, healing, and feminine power—all of which the trio has tried to immortalize through the Lioness collection.
Photo Credits: AURATE
Photo Credits: AURATE
The collection has three main silhouettes—a chain cuff, a chain necklace, and a gold earrings of which can be adorned with a Lioness pendant. Added a bonus for interchangeable pieces? You can purchase them in whole sets or separately, helping you to tailor and alter your look from one day to the next.
Photo Credits: AURATE
Photo Credits: AURATE
Apart from its environmental orientation and high quality standards, Lioness’s bits are often cost-effective. “We have our pendant which is $150, and it’s a price point I’m really proud of in the fine jewelry space,” Washington says. Included in the price tag is a 20% contribution to Supermajority, an organisation that is similar to Washington’s heart (and previously spotted through its hot pink suit moment). Dedicated to helping women collectively find their strength and organize transformation, Supermajority seeks to ensure a more equal world for women—which both Washington and Aurate’s creators deeply believe in.
Shop the 100% recycled gold items below.
Lioness Gold Hoop Earrings $180 | Aurate
Lioness Chain Bracelet $280 | Aurate
Lioness Pendant $150 | Aurate
Lioness Chain Necklace $380 | Aurate
Lioness Pendant Hoop Earrings $480 | Aurate
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