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Damson Idris just made fashion history. The British-Nigerian actor arrived at the 2026 Oscars in a custom Prada navy suit adorned with a 7.41-carat blue diamond brooch he designed himself. This wasn’t borrowed from a vault or pulled from a brand archive. It represents a stunning new chapter for his luxury jewelry label, DIDRIS.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Jewelry Designer: Damson Idris crafted the red carpet brooch under his DIDRIS fine jewelry line.
- The Stones: 7.41-carat marquise blue diamond centerpiece surrounded by 42 white diamonds weighing 6.38 carats total.
- The Maker: Crafted in collaboration with Theo Ioannou of CAD-MAN studio at London’s Goldsmiths’ Centre.
- Hidden Message: An F1 engraving marks the brooch’s interior, celebrating F1: The Movie’s Best Picture nomination.
A Personal Tribute to His Mother
The inspiration behind this stunning piece runs deep. Damson Idris designed the brooch as a tribute to his mother, Silifat Idris, who worked in the jewelry business in London while he was growing up. According to Town and Country, Silifat bought and sold gold during his childhood.
Idris explained the meaning behind his creation, stating that DIDRIS represents more than a brand. It’s a legacy that started with my mother, emphasizing the idea of connection as central to his vision. The number 42 white diamonds weren’t chosen randomly, either. They represent seven multiplied by six, with six reflecting the number of children in his family.
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The Diamonds and Their African Heritage
Sourced via De Beers from Botswana and South Africa, each diamond carries certified provenance through the Kimberley Process. This international certification scheme, supported by the UN, prevents conflict diamonds from entering the supply chain. For Idris, this mattered deeply.
Gemstone craftsmanship demands precision and respect. The marquise blue diamond anchors the design, flanked by two white marquise diamonds and two triangle pairs. The compass-like design evokes searching for the North Star, complementing the negative space within the DIDRIS logo. Theo Ioannou notes that jewelry carries material and human value, making every creation a responsibility.
| Brooch Detail | Specification |
| Centerpiece | Heat-treated marquise blue diamond, 7.41 carats |
| Accent Stones | 42 natural white diamonds, 6.38 carats combined |
| Metal | 18-karat gold (craft details) |
| Origin | De Beers, Botswana and South Africa |
“In our craft, nothing is concealed. Structure, setting and surface must be resolved with care, because what we make carries both material and human value. Jewelry is never neutral. At its core it carries value, love and memory.”
—Theo Ioannou, CAD-MAN Jewelry Studio Founder
DIDRIS: From Red Carpet to Retail
Damson Idris launched DIDRIS just over a year ago, debuting his first pieces at the 2025 Met Gala. Dressed in a ruby red Tommy Hilfiger suit, he wore statement brooches featuring an 11-carat emerald surrounded by 18 channel-cut tourmalines and 238 tsavorites and diamonds. That bold debut signaled a serious new venture for the actor.
Unlike many celebrity side hustles, DIDRIS stands apart with authentic storytelling behind each piece. Pieces range from the Monogram Cuff at $15,900 to a Tahitian pearl necklace at $23,500. The Compass Earrings, priced at $4,950, draw inspiration from his 2025 Met Gala brooch. All pieces sell exclusively through his online boutique, reinforcing the brand’s direct-to-consumer exclusivity.
Why Jewelry Over Hollywood’s Typical Side Hustles?
Idris acknowledged it was a real trial entering the jewelry industry, but the legacy aspect inspired him most. Most A-list celebrities launch alcohol brands, skincare lines, or fragrances, but Idris wanted something meaningful and lasting. He admires how Cartier and Bulgari built heritage stories bridging jewelry, filmmaking, and fashion seamlessly.
The spark ignited while filming F1: The Movie. Idris tells followers, I said, OK, now is the time to put my head down and do something I’m gonna be really proud of, and DIDRIS is that. Unlike acting, where he waits for a million pieces to come together, jewelry lets him execute ideas immediately. He designed this Oscars brooch a month ago and brought it to life.
What Does the Future Hold for Damson Idris and His Jewelry Legacy?
Beyond DIDRIS, Idris is having an incredible year. F1: The Movie earned four Academy Award nominations for March 15, 2026. He personally collected 2026 honors including the Horizon Award at the American Black Film Festival Honors, a Black Reel Award, and an NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor.
He was also just named a Formula 1 global brand ambassador, a historic partnership drawing new fans to the sport. Looking ahead, Idris will appear in Children of Blood and Bone, releasing January 2027, and play Miles Davis in Miles and Juliette. But as Idris emphasized, DIDRIS will outlast everything else. It’s going to last long after I’m gone, and I’m going to pass it down to my kids someday.
