Tiffany & Co. Hidden Garden Series 2026 Finale in Montecito

On Saturday, August 15, Tiffany & Co. held a #VVIP invite-only afternoon soirée to celebrate a continuation of its iconic “Bird on a Rock” jewelry collection. The creative force behind the Blue Book 2026: Hidden Garden series is Chief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille,who wanted to celebrate the legendary works of celebrated French jewelry designer and Tiffany’s vice president, Jean Schlumberger, original creator of the “Bird on a Rock”jewelry collection. The event brought together the House’s top VIP clients, local tastemakers, media, and influencers.

Schlumberger,a 20th century jewelry designer from Paris, became the top designer and vice president of Tiffany & Co. His first “Bird on a Rock” series brooch prototype was given to his muse and close friend, renowned American philanthropist and gardener Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon.He is famous also for his enamel bracelets, which Jackie Kennedy Onassis would so glamorously stack on her slender forearms he named them after her.

The Hidden Garden Series launched in Aspen, Colorado, went on to The Hamptons and landed here at the El Encanto Hotel on the SB Riviera, whose choosing fell to the hotel’s landscape and gardens being likened to Mellon’s Oak Spring Gardens.

Works on view at the SB event included new collections, and Tiffany & Co’s large-scale Bird on a Rock bronze sculpture, perched on its marble pedestal in the center of the lily pond. Here, one viewed (and could request a private showing and “try-on” of) the 2026 Bird on a Rock with an over 38 carat unenhanced emerald cut Madagascar sapphire and diamonds; and jewelry collections created by Tiffany & Co.’s Verdeille – Bird on a Rock Sri Lankan Sapphire Edition and the Abstract Wings Collection. The original Bird on a Rock piece is said to have been inspired by Schlumberger’s viewing a vibrant yellow crowned cockatoo he saw in the Caribbean.

The event featured a Dom Ruinart Champagne tasting served in Tiffany & Co.  glasses, stems beautifully hand painted Tiffany Blue, and a Petrossian Caviar Bar. Both the Ruinart and Petrossian offerings were hosted by their respective ambassadors. There were also specialty cocktails named after Bunny Mellon, and a live jazz band.

Seen at the event were 30 guests including top influencer Tania Sarin with her husband Michael Eisner. Sarin was wearing Bird on the Rock fine jewelry.

Background music included “Moon River” from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, a nod to the company’s glorious featured scene in the classic Audrey Hepburn film. For ten years, Tiffany & Co have paired their “Believe in Love” ad campaign with music from artists like Alicia Keys and Ariana Grande, and with famous actors, recently Natalie Portman, whose campaign embodies jewelry as symbol of inner strength and self-love.

Of note, I serendipitously wore my two new kunzite hand-beaded bracelets. Kunzite is said to attract love and feminine energy. And lol! Kunzite is named after America’s first professional gemologist and Tiffany & Co’s mineralogist/vice president George Frederick Kunz, whose newly identified pink-lilac in California mineral was named kunzite in his honor in 1903. 

During a conversation with Montecito Journal Managing Editor Zach Rosen, a Tiffany & Co rep, and myself, it was mentioned that their House will launch a new design in September along with a showing during Paris Fashion Week. I added that I could envision a collab between Tiffany & Co. and Jean Paul Gaultier Couture…. with a dab of Victoria Beckham Couture! 

Indeed an afternoon of neuroaesthetics!

Till next week, Xx JAC  

Tiffany & Jo

At El Encanto, Tiffany blue came with a decidedly delicious accent. Dom Ruinart arrived crisp and cold in Tiffany & Co. glasses, their hand-painted blue stems making even a toast feel rather well dressed.

The Bunny Mellon mocktail was the refreshing counterpoint – grapefruit and lemon, bright, tart and garden-party perfect. Nearby, the Petrossian Caviar Bar offered its own sort of jewelry – glossy pearls with that marvelous floating mouthfeel, disappearing almost as quickly as they arrived.

Between bites and sips came the other pleasure of the afternoon – catching up with Joanne and enjoying conversation with fellow guests, all against El Encanto’s dreamy Pacific backdrop.

Bird on a Rock may have been the guest of honor, but with Champagne bubbling, caviar popping, conversation flowing, and the ocean shimmering below, there was plenty competing for our attention… some afternoons simply know how to accessorize. – Zach Rosen