Celebrity Jewelry

Kate Hudson Dazzles in Custom Pieces From Independent Designer Emily P. Wheeler

The one-of-a-kind suite included a choker, cascading earrings and three statement rings.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 2, 2026

Beth Bernstein

ONE OF MY FAVORITE JEWELRY moments on the 2026 Actors Awards (formerly the SAG Awards) red carpet was when Kate Hudson appeared in her flowing Valentino gown and bespoke high jewelry from independent LA-based designer Emily P. Wheeler. The entire look was aligned with the dress code of the evening: ‘Reimagining Hollywood Glamour from the ’20s and ’30s.’

What was completely unexpected was that Wheeler worked with Hudson’s longtime stylist Sophie Lopez to create the one-of-a-kind high jewelry suite specifically for the event in which Hudson was nominated for her role in “Song Sung Blue.”

The suite, which was crafted from Desert diamonds, featured a pair of bubble fringe cascading earrings, a choker style necklace set with 38.73 carats of pavé diamonds, centered with a 10.15 carat antique Desert diamond that sat at Hudson’s collarbone and was accented by coordinating asymmetrical bubble fringe diamonds. It also included two circular bubble statement rings—a 3.09-carat Desert diamond center stone and the other a 2.71-carat Desert diamond center stone, both sourced from Botswana. A third ring based on Wheeler’s signature twist silhouette was reinterpreted for the occasion with a large antique 8.8-carat Desert diamond center stone and 3.37 carats of surrounding white diamonds.

Wheeler posted on her Instagram feed: “Pinch me! Best Actress nominee @katehudson wearing a fully bespoke #desertdiamond high jewelry suite by me to the Actors Awards. Kate is absolutely iconic, so seeing her in my designs for such a special moment is truly the most indescribable experience. This was months in the making, collaborating with her longtime stylist @SophieLopez to bring these modern high jewelry creations to life.”

In a press release, celebrity stylist Lopez is quoted, “Creating fully bespoke high jewelry for a red carpet of this scale is exceptionally rare. Unlike couture, which is almost always custom, high jewelry is typically loaned from existing collections that have been worn before. To collaborate directly with Emily to design an entirely original, one-of-a-kind suite specifically for Kate allowed us to approach the look with complete intention — aligning every detail of the jewelry with the overall vision for the night.”

Kate Hudson Dazzles in Custom Pieces From Independent Designer Emily P. Wheeler

Emily P. Wheeler’s bespoke high jewelry suite and additional ring for Kate Hudson. COURTESY OF EMILY P. WHEELER

Beth Bernstein

Beth Bernstein is a jewelry historian, journalist, and one-time jewelry designer. She is the author of six jewelry books and has contributed to many trade and consumer print and online magazines. She previously held the position of senior editor for INSTORE magazine from 2008-2013. She lectures, runs and participates in seminars and educational events. Throughout the 1990s, Beth designed a jewelry collection under the brand name Bethany B, which sold to over 250 stores throughout the USA and abroad.

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