The magnificient high jewellery collections, that we can’t take our eyes off, often have a story behind them. Here are the stories behind some of them…
CHANEL – COSMIQUE DE CHANEL
Cosmique de Chanel takes stars and comets down to Earth with sparkling diamonds which shine on contrasting white gold or black and white ceramic backgrounds. There are several awesome ring and pendant designs, all with an otherworldly flair that makes you think of the beauty of the night sky and the incredible cosmic space. The universe might not be eternal, but these cosmic rings will bring you a feel of eternity, serenity and so on.
TIFFANY&CO. – THE LETTER T
A trained jeweller and silversmith, Tiffany&Co’s new design director Francesca Amfitheatrof, reimagined the letter T, the first letter of Tiffany, and created a collection from it. The strong and graphic form of the letter T is simplified, deconstructed and reinvented.The letter T can also be linked to the architecture of New York City, according to Amfitheatrof.
CHRISTIAN DIOR – ARCHI DIOR
Archi Dior, the new high jewellery collection created by Victoire de Castellane, celebrates Christian Dior’s emblematic designs. From dress necklaces to suit bracelets, all the movement of fabrics and lightness of material are recreated in metal and precious stones. It is a return to the couturier’s most emblematic models, and a reinterpretation of Christian Dior silhouettes through jewellery. He designed his collections like an architect; he followed his own plans, invented his geometry and played with proportions: “I wanted to be an architect; as a couturier I have to follow the laws and principles of architecture”. Today, the story continues to be written by Victoire de Castellane, Dior Jewellery’s Artistic Director, influenced by the resolutely feminine silhouettes and their architectural inspiration. But here, the fabric is a rare metal and the embroidery precious stones. All of the emblematic symbols of the House of Dior are recreated in the language of jewellery: the movement of a skirt; the volume of a dress; the waist of a suit; the pleats of a blouse, and the way fabric falls can be found by turns in each of these pieces of jewellery.
BULGARI – SERPENTI COLLECTION
No jewellery house has as strong an association with the snake as Bulgari, who has so closely identified with the slithering serpent that they’ve draped a giant, glittering likeness of one around their Fifth Avenue New York flagship store, in 2013. The serpent has been used by Bulgari since the 1940’s in high jewellery designs such as the Serpenti bracelet wrapping around the arm, as well as in its Tubogas watches. In 2013, the year of the serpent according to Chinese astrology, The Bulgari Serpenti was celebrated both with a book published by Assouline and a exhibition that toured the world with Serpenti pieces from its most illustrious owners, including Elizabeth Taylor, Marisa Berenson and Diana Vreeland, as well as countless other memorable Serpenti jewels.
CARTIER – PANTHERE COLLECTION
A truly wild animal, the panther is more than a mere symbol for Cartier. It is a timeless icon that is both predatory and elegant, restrained yet always ready to pounce. Roaming free with
emerald eyes, onyx muzzle and diamond-set coat, the creations from the Panther Collection make their mark on the world of jewellery.
CHOPARD – GREEN CARPET COLLECTION
In cooperation with Eco-Age and its founder Livia Firth, Chopard and stars lend their support to turn the red carpet green. Lea Seydoux, Marion Cotillard and Virginie Ledoyen are both fashion icons and women with an intuitive grasp of the issues that matter, promoting a profound and dynamic shift towards sustainable luxury. In cooperation with Eco-Age and its founder Livia Firth, Chopard has joined the Green Carpet Challenge that seeks to promote ties between ethics and aesthetics. Supported in this approach by the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), the gold used originates from community mines in South America bearing the “FAIRMINED” certification. All diamonds are sourced from a producer who is an RJC certified member. The pieces in the jewellery collection are crafted by the jewellers, gem-setters, polishers and gold casters of Haute Joaillerie workshops in Geneva.
VAN CLEEF AND ARPELS – CERFS-VOLANTS
A faithful interpreter of lightness and movement, the Maison of Van Cleef and Arpels, pays homage to kites fluttering in the breeze in its latest collection launched in february this year. Symbols of protection in Asian culture, kites offer their vitality to a brand-new collection; Cerfs-Volants.
