Talisman pendants have appeared on the big screen in James Bond movies, Sci-Fi adventures, fairytales, spiritual and emotional journeys.
But when you are filming a movie in Vancouver and you need a talisman or two or three, you head on over to Pyrrha jewelry. At least that’s what costume designer Monique Prudhomme did, first, while working with Julia Roberts on the 2017 film Wonder and more recently while looking for a special meaningful pendant for The Art of Racing In The Rain, which was released on Aug 9, 2019 (20th Century Fox). Adapted from the best selling novel by Garth Stein, directed by Simon Curtis and starring Milo Ventimiglia and Amanda Seyfried, the film, like the book is narrated by Enzo the golden retriever. With the worldly and wise voice of Kevin Costner, takes us on a journey through his best friend and racecar driver Denny (Ventimiglia’s) and life and the bonds they form along the way as well as the love, loss, yearning and learning about life through racecar maneuvers. For those who haven’t read the book, I don’t want to give the whole movie away but before I go any further, here is a spoiler alert.
Curtis and Prudhomme have taken some creative license by weaving in a necklace that wasn’t in Stein’s original book but has a hidden meaning that becomes clear towards the latter part of the film. Amanda Seyfried plays Eve, Denny’s wife for whom Prudhomme has chosen a significant necklace from the collection. “After looking through many of our pieces, this one resonated the most with the meaning in the storyline,” explains Danielle Papin who along with husband Wade Papin design the Pyrrha collection. The piece that Eve wears in a 14K gold Eternal Devotion talisman which features a heraldic rose, representing love that survives time and death. “The meaning of which is deeply symbolic of Eve’s and in a sense, the entire families arc,” Danielle adds. In the latter part of the film, we see that the talisman has been passed along to Eve’s daughter Zoe and will remain with her as a treasured heirloom.
Lynsey Brother’s public relation director for Pyrrha, explains, “I love working with Monique. She knows what she wants, but she also allows the actresses to get involved in the final choices—since they are the ones who have to live the role and the talisman have to feel right for them while they are working on the film.” She adds, “when we worked together on Wonder, which was also shot in Vancouver, Monique brought a bunch of pieces for Julia Roberts to choose from as she is very specific and likes to have a personal hand in choosing what she wears in character. As the mother of a boy with severe facial differences who navigates public school for the first time, she chose Pyrrha’s ‘While I Breathe I Hope’ talisman necklace and ‘Creativity’ talisman ring. The eagles featured on the necklace are symbols of strength and courage, while the sparrow on the ring speaks of higher thoughts and ideals, reminding us to use creativity to solve problems.”
Julia daughter in the film, Via wears Pyrrha’s ‘Selflessness ’talisman, gifted by her grandmother as a token of the sacrifices she makes for her brother’s well-being. “It’s so great seeing how our jewelry can add another layer to the storyline, “ says Wade Papin.
Julia Roberts also wore Pyrrha on the big screen in the film Larry Crowne. Her character wore the Aurora and Cupid intaglio. Additionally, Julia’s husband Daniel Moder bought her Pyrrha’s ‘Mum talisman’ for Mother’s Day a number of years ago
Other actresses who have worn Pyrrha’s talisman in film (a few more of which have been shot in Vancouver) include Charlize Theron in Tully, Kate Winslet in The Mountain Between Us, Ellen Page in Into The Forest and Jennifer Morrison in Once Upon A Time, among others.
Pyrrha jewelry has been in business since 1995 when Danielle and Wade Papin began using authentic symbolic wax seals and imagery from the Victorian era, all with different meanings and which inspire wearers on a personal level. The married duo combines old-world techniques and casts all of their pieces in reclaimed precious metals. The brand’s flagship store is in Los Angeles and the collection can be purchased online or from international retailers.
