Page 44 - Sharp Winter 2024

THE TIES THAT BIND
NEWLYWEDS LAURENCE FORTIN-CÔTÉ AND DYLAN WU ON BUILDING LOVE THAT LASTS A LIFETIME THROUGH JEWELLERY
By Ebonie Walker
FOUNDED BY BUSINESSMAN AND JEWELLER CHARLES
Lewis Tiffany in 1837, Tiffany & Co. quickly found fame for its exceptional gemstones and craftsmanship. And in 1886, it became even more popular when Tiffany created his most iconic style yet — the engagement ring.
Since then, the engagement ring has only grown in popularity and meaning. The moment a ring is exchanged, everything changes. It’s more than a piece of jewellery. It’s an enduring symbol of devotion and dedication, and a visual representation of love and commitment.
When digital content creator Laurence Fortin-Côte met her now-hus- band Dylan Wu, their connection was instant. “As cliché as it sounds, we both knew from early on that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together,” Fortin-Côté explains. “We didn’t have too much in common, but it was easy to see that we had a similar outlook on life.” The pair met when Fortin-Côte moved to Toronto from Quebec in 2017, and was together for four years before getting engaged in 2021.
“I wanted to make sure I got Laurence something she really loved,” Wu says about the engagement ring. “We went ring shopping ‘just for fun’ and I took mental notes on what style and shape she really liked,” he admits.
Wu decided on a custom oval-cut diamond ring with a pavé band. And on September 30th on a beautiful and warm fall afternoon, the couple said ‘I do’ on a private estate in Quebec City. Their simple and elegant vision was brought to life in intricate details like dinner menus, table settings, floral arrangements, and — most importantly — their outfits.
Fortin-Côté wore an ivory satin strapless dress with a long cathedral
veil for the ceremony and a simple silk long sleeve champagne coloured gown for the reception, while Wu wore a custom tuxedo for the ceremony and a traditional Chinese formal jacket in silk velvet for the reception.
“We wanted something classic and timeless, but that also felt personal to us at the same time,” Fortin-Côte explained of the day’s aesthetic. The couple’s beautiful connection, refined style, and creative virtuosity is perfectly exemplified in Tiffany & Co.
As a brand that is synonymous with timeless elegance, innovative design, fine craftsmanship, and creative excellence, it’s much-expanded Love and Engagement offering continues to set the standard for beautiful engagement rings and wedding bands.
“Tiffany is a timeless and classic heritage brand with such a strong visual code that still feels modern, relevant, and personal,” Fortin-Côté says. The brand’s HardWear Collection, which first debuted in 2017, is a perfect example. Since its launch, the collection has become one of Tiffany’s signature offerings. With a design inspired by archival pieces, and shapes creative in tribute to New York City’s skyline, the collection strikes the perfect balance between alluring and elegant.
Similarly, the Tiffany Lock Collection is a bold and modern repre- sentation of the interconnectedness of our relationships. Inspired by a padlock – which has been a recurring motif since the 1880s — the collection has evolved to meet the ever-changing nature of the style zeitgeist. But it has remained consistent in its ability to serve as a visual homage to the unbreakable bonds that connect us all in love.
“Jewellery lasts forever and can be passed down from one generation to another,” says Fortin-Côte, who herself received the now-archived Somerset Collection from her mother. “It not only stands the test of time but also outlasts trends, which is something quite rare when it comes to wearable items.”
And in those ways, it makes it the perfect gift to give a loved one. Whether you’re shopping for a romantic partner, a family member, or someone who is especially near to your heart, the couple says Tiffany jewellery is a thoughtful and heartwarming choice. “There are not many other gifts that are quite as meaningful as a piece of jewellery that takes you back in time and reminds you of someone you love every time you wear it,” Fortin-Côté says. “The jewellery takes the meaning of significance of a specific moment in time and that feeling will last as a memory forever.”
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GUIDE • WINTER 2024
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TIFFANY & CO. × SHARP
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TED BELTON. STYLING BY VANESSA POPOLI. HAIR AND MAKEUP BY NATE MATTHEW (P1M). LAURENCE FORTIN-CÔTÉ: JEWELLERY BY TIFFANY & CO. FULL LOOK BY DIOR.
DYLAN WU: JEWELLERY BY TIFFANY & CO. SUIT BY COS. SHIRT, TALENT’S OWN.