The mystery of the missing Paris catwalk necklace

A unique silver necklace featuring a taxidermy butterfly encased in a rock crystal dome, crafted by renowned jeweler Malcolm Morris, has become the focal point of an international search after vanishing from a Paris catwalk show three decades ago. The one-of-a-kind piece, created in 1994, was commissioned by art director Simon Costin for designer Alexander McQueen, who later headed Givenchy. Despite its anticipated debut, the necklace mysteriously disappeared and has not been seen since. Now, Sarah Burns-Collins, a longtime collaborator of Morris and owner of Gold Lark Jewellery, is spearheading efforts to uncover its whereabouts as part of a retrospective celebrating Morris’s 50-year career. Morris, now 67 and based in Shropshire, is celebrated for his work in stage and film, including creating tiaras for Gwyneth Paltrow in ‘Shakespeare in Love.’ The necklace, described as a ‘statement piece’ weighing like a mayoral chain, took three weeks and significant resources to create. Burns-Collins speculates it may still be in Paris, possibly in an antique shop or with a former model. The search continues as Morris and his team hope to solve this enduring mystery.