Kerry Washington Celebrates Motherhood With Latest Aurate Jewelry Collection

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There are many ways to celebrate motherhood. One way Kerry Washington is doing so is with the Aurate x Kerry Birth of Mother jewelry collection, launching today. The actress, producer and philanthropist is also an investor in Aurate, the ethical and sustainable fine jewelry brand.

A mom of three herself, motherhood has been a natural muse for Washington. Aesthetically, The Birth of Mother collection symbolizes “the essence of motherhood” in all its forms, says Washington, and it also incorporates components of the ocean.

True to Aurate’s ethos, each piece is designed in 100 percent recycled gold. Washington — who is currently filming Paul Feig’s Netflix film adaptation of the YA book The School for Good and Evil — gives the scoop on the collection, motherhood and building a community.

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Why did you decide to create the Birth of Mother jewelry collection?

I am so grateful for the opportunity to work alongside [Aurate co-founders] Sophie Kahn and Bouchra Ezzahraoui. I think anytime women succeed, it opens the doors for others to follow, especially when they can succeed as a team. There is such power in partnership! Sophie and Bouchra are two women who inspire me and who I know inspire countless other female entrepreneurs and innovators. This second collaboration has been so special because it honors the essence of motherhood. As we were designing the collection, we talked a lot about ourselves as mothers and about role that we play as nurturers, not only to our children, but also to our ideas, our projects and ourselves.   

Aurate Venus Organic Pearl Gold Rings, $150, auratenewyork.com  

How did motherhood inspire the designs?

It started with a group of mothers coming together to design a collection that reflected just that — motherhood! The beautiful, wild, courageous, fulfilling process of becoming a mother. We are each proud mothers — to our children, to our ideas and projects and to ourselves. Inspired by Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, this collection embodies the birth of motherhood as a beautiful and powerful awakening!

Aurate Venus Organic Pearl Gold Earrings, $480, auratenewyork.com

Where else did you look for design inspiration?

The design of the collection was also inspired by elements of the ocean — every shell, texture, and pearl is unique in its intricacies, every wave and current is powerful and unpredictable. Motherhood is like that too, I think. Unique, unpredictable, powerful, and beautiful. And my mother and I both have a deep love of the ocean.  

Why does motherhood in all its forms need to be celebrated more?

I think it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate that motherhood can look very different depending on who you are and what the circumstances of your life are. Whether you are mothering a child, an animal, a project, or even a dream, caring for what you love is a sacred act!  

Aurate Venus Gold Necklace, $320, auratenewyork.com 

How has Aurate built a community of mothers?

Aurate started with two female immigrants with a mission to give equal opportunity to all and design jewelry for women, by women. They built this community specifically with the emphasis on women, providing them with a voice and platform. Ninety percent of their customers are women. 

As a mother, how does this make the Birth of Mother collection personal to you?

This collection is personal to me because I love celebrating my mom. She’s amazing! She is the strongest, bravest woman I know. And she has devoted her life to improving the lives of young people. So, honoring her within this collection means so much to me. 

Aurate Venus Organic Pearl Tri Gold Ring, $360, auratenewyork.com

What is your favorite piece in the collection?

It’s too difficult to choose just one. All of them are so special to me in their own way! But the stacked three pearl ring holds special personal significance because of my three children.  

Why did you join Aurate as an investor and designer? In what ways did the brand speak to you?

As a creative partner and investor, I look for companies that have a vision and mission that I am whole heartedly aligned with. Aurate shares my views on sustainability, diversity, and giving back to socially driven causes. As a brand, Aurate really works to amplify women’s voices and celebrates women in an authentic way. 

Aurate Venus Organic Pearl Gold Necklace, $180, auratenewyork.com