Betony Vernon
“My primary goal as a designer is to better the quality of everyday life, so I imbue my designs with the power to please.” – Betony Vernon
Betony Vernon by Elodie Chapuis
Rising to prominence through her expertise in jewellery design, Betony Vernon has distinguished herself with a unique focus. She specializes in crafting opulent erotic jewellery, establishing herself as a trailblazer in the realms of sexology and erotic design. Vernon proudly identifies as a “sexual anthropologist” and is also an accomplished author. After graduating in art history, Vernon found her calling when she moved from the US to Florence to enroll in the metal-smithing program at Fuji Studio Art Workshop. In 1992, she unveiled her first erotic jewellery collection, “Sado-Chic.” Despite the lack of an established market, it garnered immense popularity. The collection drew inspiration from the controversial 1954 erotic novel “Story of O.” This success led to the concept of “The Paradise Found,” which received widespread acclaim. In response to the luxury market’s oversight of the ‘sacred art of loving,’ Vernon aimed to design jewellery that bestowed sensorial pleasure, reinforced intimate bonds, encouraged sensual exploration, and pleased the eye. In 2001, the Paradise Found Jewelry line was launched, quickly becoming popular among celebrities. Vernon’s fascination with eroticism began at a young age. At 15, she discovered boxes of erotic magazines at garage sales, with Bizarre magazine eventually becoming her favorite. Contrary to common assumptions, it was the sensual portrayal of women, characterized by “gorgeous lingerie, bullet bras, gloves, stockings, and fuck-me boots,” that captivated her. A year later, she embraced the style of a pin-up girl, a fashion trend that continues to influence her, finding empowerment in these depictions. Speaking to Daily Maverick, Vernon said, “I was so naive when I started in the 90s, working for the world's greater pleasure. Then I realized not everyone lived their sexuality as freely as I did, and there was so much trauma, abuse, and pain connected to the sexual persona. The way we perceive our sexuality reflects how we perceive the world; this is why my focus shifted to sexuality. I became a sexologist and a clinical hypnotherapist focusing on sexual wellness, believing that healing sexual trauma leads to a more satisfying life overall.”
Petting double finger ring worn by Christina Aguilera in the music video for “Not Myself Tonight”.
Throughout her career, Vernon has collaborated with prominent names in the design and fashion industries, including Missoni, Gianfranco Ferré, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Swarovski, Pampaloni, Alexander Wang, and Fornasetti. Her work has been showcased in international exhibitions and solo exhibitions worldwide. Notably, in Lady Gaga’s 2009 music video for “Paparazzi,” there is a scene featuring Gaga wearing a bedazzled neck brace crafted by Vernon. Vernon also designed the distinctive neckpiece and ring worn by Christina Aguilera on the cover of her 2010 album “Bionic.” One of her most renowned collections is the Boudoir Box. Revealed 19 years after its creation, this black leather box measures 69 centimeters in height and 33 centimeters in width. Initially hesitant due to a lack of market interest, Vernon finally showcased the collection during the 25-year celebration of the Paradise Found collection and the City of Paris Museum of Modern Art’s “Medusa” jewellery exposition in 2017. The box features a tasselled “leather whip necklace” with a sterling silver handle on the left panel, a champagne-colored ostrich feather with a sterling silver handle on the right, and a display of 19 “jewel-tools” in the middle panel, as described by Vernon. These jewel-tools include sterling silver nipple clamps, petting rings, “dilettos,” and more, infusing luxury values and aesthetics into the realm of sexuality.
Boudoir Box. Photo by Katrin Backes
Vernon’s jewellery transcends mere adornment; it is designed for use as well. By integrating functional elements into her pieces, she curated a collection intended for shared experiences between partners. For instance, a sterling silver choker with a chain connected to a ring facilitates a deeper connection between partners, a tasselled necklace pendant serves a dual purpose as a functional whip, and bulbous spheres attached to a metal ring also function as tools for a sensual massage. Vernon's creations thus extend beyond traditional jewellery, offering a means for couples to engage and connect intimately. Dedicated to empowering individuals across all genders and sexualities, Vernon advocates for sex positivity. A key objective for her is to “dismantle the pleasure taboo.” Her work is characterized by beauty, boldness, provocation, and a boundary-defying nature. She actively challenges the norms of the luxury market, celebrating sensuality, pleasure, self-empowerment, and satisfaction through her innovative and transformative creations.
