Fashion Muse, Countess Edwina Mountbatten
Designer Misha Nonoo’s Resort 2013 Collection Inspiration Statement reads as follows:
“Edwina, Countess Mountbatten of Burma,
a sybarite of regal proportions and last Vicereine of India.”
- Above, Edwina, dressed for the coronation of George VI, 1937
Edwina Wearing Her Cartier Bracelet
What a muse Edwina is! After a morning of research, I learned that she was one of the six best-dressed women in the world and had an incredible jewelry collection that reflected the time she spent living and traveling between distinctly different cultures. The stunning platinum set ruby, sapphire, diamond and emerald, bandeau made by Cartier Edwina bought in London in 1928, was ade of stones allegedly taken from Indian jewelry.
Edwina’s Cartier bracelet/bandeau
Edwina Mountbatten was born to be a fashion icon. She had all the credentials and then some, including, great wealth, fabulous social connections – the British Royal family attended her wedding to Louis Mountbatten and Edward VII was the best man.
Edwina and Louis Mountbatten
Edwina was also according to all accounts, incredibly stylish, loved to play, and had a scandalously non-traditional streak when it came to her marriage. She flouted conventions whenever it suited her, even dropped out of sight for long periods to pursue whatever pleasures struck her fancy.
She grew up after she and Lord Mountbatten, were sent to serve as the last Viceroy and Vicereine of pre-Partition India following the end of WWII. Lord M. was given full powers to govern India and transition turmoil-torn British India to independence as he best saw fit. At that period, Edwina added a new entry, relief worker, to her glittering resume, and the title, Countess Mountbatten of Burma.
- Vivian Kelly