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Connections and symbolism are essential to Ruth Rogers, co-founder of the River Café in west London. Whether it’s food or jewels, associations and significance are dear to her and what gives a chunk value. “Generally, my jewels are usually not big, as I don’t like things that get in the way in which of giving any person a hug,” says Rogers.
Rogers grew up within the Sixties in Woodstock, in upstate Recent York, in the course of the era of peace and love, and “frolicked with individuals who didn’t wear much jewellery”. Today, Rogers enjoys wearing a stylishly irreverent mixture of pieces, each conveying a special meaning. The hippy vibe lives on within the string friendship bracelets made by her grandchildren she wears round her wrist.
Her eclectic collection and highly personal jewels were either gifts or bought together with her late husband, architect Richard Rogers. No purchase was random; each was fastidiously chosen to mark an important day, whether joyous or sad, freighted with recollections of her husband, or an era, a spot or a special friend. Buying jewels was a joint pleasure and Rogers says she and Richard “had the identical form of eyes” when selecting gems.
Rogers arrange the River Café with Rose Gray in 1987 within the constructing that housed her husband’s architectural studio in Hammersmith, west London. From what was initially a piece canteen, the River Café blossomed into one among London’s top restaurants.
Her workload today includes Ruthie’s Table 4 podcast, where she interviews friends and celebrities about their food memories.
Heart-shaped pendant
The center-shaped Peace and Love pendant by designer Aurélie Bidermann was bought by the couple at Colette in Paris. Rogers is drawn to heart shapes and the peace sign reminds her of her Woodstock days and when jewels conveyed positive messages. The necklace links Rogers to her time in Le Marais within the Seventies while the Pompidou Centre, designed by her husband was being built.
Diamond pavé disc ring
The white gold diamond pavé ring was bought at Dover Street Market in London. Rogers sometimes wears it on her ring finger but says that “as a chef, rings have never been my thing”.
She adds: “After I met Richard in 1969, we didn’t think an engagement ring was needed. I designed a marriage ring for Richard and me. I asked the fellows within the model shop to make it out of shiny pink Perspex with an enormous heart on it. Unfortunately, I lost it, and once we saw this ring a few years later, we thought it could possibly be a kind of wedding ring. I really like circles, so it really works for me.”
HStern Confetti multi-gemstone necklace
The multi-gemstone necklace recalls the couple’s love of Latin America. Richard had a commission in Colombia, and so they travelled throughout the region. In Brazil, Rogers discovered the jewellery house HStern and has other Stern pieces, including by the architect Oscar Niemeyer. The couple visited Mexico yearly for 30 years, and the necklace evokes the completely satisfied days they spent in these places.
Irene Neuwirth moonstone necklace
The moonstone necklace by Los Angeles designer Irene Neuwirth is one among Rogers’ favourites. She bought it at Barneys Recent York within the Nineteen Nineties to have a good time her eldest son Roo’s graduation from Columbia University. Rogers loved going to Barneys each time she visited town, with its contemporary approach to jewels and fashion. Temptation was rife, because the jewellery was displayed by the essential entrance, where it was unavoidable.
Twenty-five years later, after several Neuwirth purchases, Rogers became friends with Neuwirth when the jeweller’s partner Phil Lord was working on a movie in London. “After I met her on the River Café, I realised I had been buying her jewels for years,” says Rogers. Neuwirth gave her a phenomenal heart-shaped pendant with a pink and green “watermelon” tourmaline that she treasures.
BO necklace
Rogers’ most prized possession is a series with the crumb-sized gold letters “B” and “O”, which never leaves her neck. It was given to her by her daughter-in-law Bernie (who’s married to Roo) on the death of her son Bo in October 2011 and was specially made by TenThousandThingsNYC.
Rogers became acquainted with TenThousandThingsNYC within the Nineteen Nineties as Roo’s flat was round the corner to the jeweller, and over time she became friendly with the owners, David Rees and Ron Anderson. Rogers has a choice of their quirky and vibrant jewels, and appreciates the offbeat aesthetics and the small size of the brand’s jewels. She has several Chiclet necklaces in several colors, and has given them to friends and every of her grandchildren.
Céline earrings
The silver and brass earrings are by Phoebe Philo, a detailed friend. They were a present from the designer when she was working for Céline in 2012. Rogers wore Céline for a few years and was very excited when Philo began designing jewels. “I really like these earrings because they’re very long and are available thus far down your neck that they wander away in your hair,” says Rogers. “So though they’re big, they aren’t an announcement. They’re very beautiful, very, very cool.”
