A heart shape is universally accepted as the symbol of love, but in reality, love takes any shape, size, form, or colour. Because love, especially love in our time, simply means different things to different people. Some of us seek a textbook romance with a classic happy ending. Others are inspired by a lifelong adventure when the right person comes along.
Point is, everyone should be allowed to write their own love story and that’s what Tiffany & Co’s idea of modern love is all about. Diversity is, after all, the name of the game for the American jeweller, even when it comes to wedding and engagement jewellery.
From heritage-rich Jean Schlumberger pieces to glittering diamond-paved creations from the Victoria collection, there is a Tiffany diamond for every occasion—and who better to demonstrate the versatility of these signature designs than local musicians Tabitha Nauser as well as RRILEY?
Styled with their favourite Tiffany & Co. jewellery, they share their love ideals, their relationship goals, their dream engagement, and what they consider is the perfect proposal.
For Nauser, modern love is “equal, respectful, supportive, caring and empathetic. It’s passionate and patient. It’s honest and committed. It’s shared experiences.” The singer who is currently in a relationship with boyfriend, Louie Salmon-Pansuk, also reveals that she values quality time and acts of service, both of which are her love language to Salmon-Pansuk—and vice versa.
She continues, “Because we are so similar, it’s made our relationship smooth sailing for the most part. I just need to think to myself ‘How would I want to be treated in this scenario?’ and apply that. The same goes for Louie.”
Like most people, Nauser values the small things in a relationship and all the shared experiences that come along with it. “This other person knows everything about you and it’s unique to the two of you. This makes the small things 10 times more important,” she says. It could be anything from waiting up for him after a long day of work, making his favourite cup of coffee when he’s not expecting it, or just spending time in each other’s company without forcing an activity or conversation.
“The small things are the building blocks to any relationship, and my absolute favourite part of being with Louie,” she smiles.
A self-confessed magpie, Nauser loves all things shiny, and diamonds are definitely included. She shares, “At the moment, I am obsessed with coloured diamonds! I think they’re so special and add uniqueness and edginess to the overall look, which is something I’m a fan of. I love design that is slightly technical, but keeping to a minimalist design.”
Her relationship with Salmon-Pansuk is now in its fifth year and while wedding bells are still on standby mode, the singer does have a rough idea of what her dream wedding would include. On the perfect proposal, she loves anything intimate and personal. “I’m not a fan of huge, showy, over-the-top proposals,” she declares.
And the perfect wedding jewellery? “I would love pieces that are more delicate, with maybe one or two stand out features,” she muses. “Ideally I would want pieces that I could pass down to my children and to my grandchildren, so it should definitely be timeless and not a trend piece.”
Likewise, RRILEY is completely on board with Tiffany & Co.’s definition of modern love, which the pop artist sees as “the freedom to love.” Valuing quality time and physical touch as her love languages, RRILEY finds in boyfriend Ryan Tonge a person who complements her, who she complements, and who makes her a better version of herself.
The little things matter a lot to RRILEY as well. “It’s always the little things because that adds up. Whether good or bad. I love that he gets excited with me over little things that I get excited about. It is nice to know you’ve been thought of and it’s always more in the everyday little things versus the occasional big gesture.”
RRILEY’s experimental edgy-chic style always offers loads of fashion inspiration but when it comes to jewellery, she’s got a few basic rules: “I only wear gold! And I love a good minimalistic shine. Something that goes with every day and every occasion, because I don’t like removing my jewellery, but definitely not something boring.”
She loves simple designs but when her big day arrives, RRILEY would be taking things up a few notches. “I love minimalistic jewellery but I also love a good dramatic piece. So wedding jewellery for me would probably be something in between or perhaps all of it together.”
Likewise, the perfect proposal to RRILEY isn’t predictable at all. Without giving too much away, she says “it could be anything from being in front of a glorious view or just waking up in bed.” But, she adds, it’s less about the details and more about the moment—Tonge does have his work cut out for him here, but as they always say, true love conquers all.
Photography: Eric Seow
Styling: Desmond Lim
Creative producer: Vanessa Caitlin
Makeup artist: Nigel Stanislaus
Hair stylist: Den Ng / Prep Luxe
Photography assistant: Alfred Ng
Fashion assistant: Joey Tan and Jason Sonja
Creative production assistant: David Bay
Hair assistant: Kai / Prep Luxe
