OUR STORY
GERALDINE was born from a desire to preserve a family legacy, history and a remarkable love story through a form of beauty that outlives generations: fine jewellery.
The house takes its name from Lady Geraldine Hanson, whose timeless elegance and extraordinary jewellery collection became the inspiration behind Geraldine London.
Every great maison begins with a story. Geraldine London is no exception. Ours is worthy of both fairy tales and Hollywood movies. Before becoming Lord Hanson and one of Britain's leading industrialists, James Hanson was engaged to a young Audrey Hepburn, shortly before her iconic performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's propelled her to international stardom and established her as one of the twentieth century's greatest style icons. Their lives ultimately followed different paths. Shortly after James met Geraldine Kaelin, an American from New Jersey who was then working as a buyer at the New York department store Lord and Taylor. Her grace, warmth and quiet confidence became the great love of his life. Together they built a marriage that lasted forty five years, creating a legacy defined as much by beauty, generosity and family as by success.
Years later, when my son Maxim began asking about the grandparents he had never met, we often found ourselves looking through family photographs together. It made me realize how easily even most extraordinary stories can fade unless someone chooses to carry them forward.
Having inherited Lady Hanson's jewellery collection I often found myself reimagining and redesigning the pieces in what is now our London-based workshop, where new creations for Geraldine London are born.
The defining moment that truly cemented my confidence in that vision came while searching for a fiftieth birthday present for a close family friend. I found myself asking, "What can I possibly give a woman who has everything, especially on such a milestone occasion?" Another beautiful object didn't feel meaningful enough. At that time I had already imagined creating a fine jewellery brand and naming it Geraldine London. I was planting the first seeds by exploring logo designs, colour palettes and visual identity that would bring it to life. I decided to gift her one of Lady Hanson's pearl and diamond bracelets, it was more than just an abstract piece of jewellery, it represented a tangible connection to a remarkable family legacy and a beautiful love story. Her emotional reaction was unforgettable, it confirmed the profound impact that an object that embodies a connection to something bigger can have. That moment has cemented my assurance that I was on the right path, that moment became the foundation of Geraldine London.
Today, we continue that philosophy by sourcing exceptional gemstones from around the world. In selected creations diamonds, gemstones and pearls from Lady Geraldine's personal collection continue their journey within new designs, quite literally weaving the DNA of her legacy into the fabric of the house.
We believe beauty is not a luxury, it is an essential part of our existence. Through fine jewellery we don't just create beauty, we preserve memories, create meaning and carry stories across generations.
MASHA HANSON - Founder and Creative Director
OUR STORY
GERALDINE was born from a desire to preserve a family legacy, history and a remarkable love story through a form of beauty that outlives generations: fine jewellery.
The house takes its name from Lady Geraldine Hanson, whose timeless elegance and extraordinary jewellery collection became the inspiration behind Geraldine London.
Every great maison begins with a story. Geraldine London is no exception. Ours is worthy of both fairy tales and Hollywood movies. Before becoming Lord Hanson and one of Britain's leading industrialists, James Hanson was engaged to a young Audrey Hepburn, shortly before her iconic performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's propelled her to international stardom and established her as one of the twentieth century's greatest style icons. Their lives ultimately followed different paths. Shortly after James met Geraldine Kaelin, an American from New Jersey who was then working as a buyer at the New York department store Lord and Taylor. Her grace, warmth and quiet confidence became the great love of his life. Together they built a marriage that lasted forty five years, creating a legacy defined as much by beauty, generosity and family as by success.
Years later, when my son Maxim began asking about the grandparents he had never met, we often found ourselves looking through family photographs together. It made me realize how easily even most extraordinary stories can fade unless someone chooses to carry them forward.
Having inherited Lady Hanson's jewellery collection I often found myself reimagining and redesigning the pieces in what is now our London-based workshop, where new creations for Geraldine London are born.
The defining moment that truly cemented my confidence in that vision came while searching for a fiftieth birthday present for a close family friend. I found myself asking, "What can I possibly give a woman who has everything, especially on such a milestone occasion?" Another beautiful object didn't feel meaningful enough. At that time I had already imagined creating a fine jewellery brand and naming it Geraldine London. I was planting the first seeds by exploring logo designs, colour palettes and visual identity that would bring it to life. I decided to gift her one of Lady Hanson's pearl and diamond bracelets, it was more than just an abstract piece of jewellery, it represented a tangible connection to a remarkable family legacy and a beautiful love story. Her emotional reaction was unforgettable, it confirmed the profound impact that an object that embodies a connection to something bigger can have. That moment has cemented my assurance that I was on the right path, that moment became the foundation of Geraldine London.
Today, we continue that philosophy by sourcing exceptional gemstones from around the world. In selected creations diamonds, gemstones and pearls from Lady Geraldine's personal collection continue their journey within new designs, quite literally weaving the DNA of her legacy into the fabric of the house.
We believe beauty is not a luxury, it is an essential part of our existence. Through fine jewellery we don't just create beauty, we preserve memories, create meaning and carry stories across generations.
MASHA HANSON - Founder and Creative Director