Dior, Versailles and the Haute Joaillerie

DIOR new High Jewelry collection ´Dior A Versailles

The Palace of Versailles, Château de Versailles, or simply Versailles is a royal château in Versailles in the Île-de-France region of France. Famous not only as a building, Versailles is a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime, an icon of luxury and the French art of living. The famous palace is a perpetual source of inspiration for other French luxury symbol. Dior’s latest high jewelry collection by Jewelry Designer Victoire de Castellane invites us to revisit Versailles, magnifying glass in hand, to better appreciate its graphic and ornamental aspects.

palace of versailles - Galerie_des_Glaces DIOR new High Jewelry collection ´Dior A Versailles´ Dior-the setting

A crystal tassel from a chandelier and a curtain tieback in the royal apartments were transformed into diamond drop necklaces, rings and earrings in white and pink gold, diamonds, sapphires and pink sapphire. The ‘Salon d’Apollon’ brooch which draws inspiration from the baroque interior of the Salon d’Apollon, one of the most sumptuous rooms in Versailles. The 18th-century jewelry making techniques makes diamonds to appear suspended in midair.

“I imagined Versailles by night, where the stones glistened in the candlelight,” said Victoire de Castellane.

“That was a challenge for the atelier, because they know I like it when the metal disappears and the ribbon conveys movement, plus it has to stay light,” explained de Castellane. “These pieces prove that we’re working with the best ateliers in the world.”

Virtually, all the elements from Hall of Mirrors, Queen’s bedchamber in the grand appartement de la reine, or the Chambre du Roi (King’s Bedroom) can become haute joaillerie items. So, we expect the ´Dior A Versailles´ collection to have a very promising continuation.

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La Nature de Chaumet

The reinvention of a symbolic garden.

La Nature de Chaumet - Chaumet unveiled its new High Jewellery collection at the Musée Bourdelle Paris - 2luxury2-com

Since its origins (1780), LVMH-owned Maison Chaumet is interpreting the symbols of the laurel, the wheat, the oak and the lily – all attributes of the gods in classical mythology. Chaumet’s jewellery-making expertise enables the creation of exceptional pieces of jewellery and limited collections. This is the case with the new High Jewellery collection called “La Nature de Chaumet.”

The high-end jeweller based in Paris unveiled its new High Jewellery collection at the Musée Bourdelle and in its Salons, 12 place Vendôme. These new creations were surrounded by the poetry of an artist’s workshop or garden and a wheatfield, in the heart of Paris.

La Nature de Chaumet - Chaumet unveiled its new High Jewellery collection at the Musée Bourdelle Paris - 2luxury2com-the laure; La Nature de Chaumet -Chaumet laurel- La Nature de Chaumet -launching

Le Laurier
Emblem of victory, the evergreen Chaumet’s laurel celebrates immortality. The suppleness and movement of the pieces evoke Apollo and Daphne’s love chase. With triumphant femininity, it is adorned here with shades of blue and pink. The sculpted chalcedony, sapphires and spinels of the Frise divine ensemble create a gradation of lavender blue, violet and pink tones. Repeated motifs of bending leaves are subtly
enhanced by the finest yellow gold threading.
“An alliance of nature and culture, of wildness and refinement, Chaumet’s naturalism is characterised by the choice of plants and flowers that carry significant symbolic power, sometimes tied with a ribbon. Conceived and crafted according to Chaumet’s tradition of excellence, the pieces of this collection, gathered into four tableaux, put technical prowess to the service of wonder and emotion,” explained
Chaumet.

La Nature de Chaumet - Chaumet unveiled the High Jewellery collection at the Musée Bourdelle Paris - 2luxury2-com

La Nature de Chaumet - Chaumet unveiled its new High Jewellery collection at the Musée Bourdelle Paris - Le lys- - Copy

La Nature de Chaumet - Chaumet unveiled its new High Jewellery collection at the Musée Bourdelle Paris - Le lys symbol
Le Lys according to Chaumet
The flower of innocence and emblem of the kings of France, the lily celebrate the different facets of feminine beauty, from translucent purity to fiery passion.

La Nature de Chaumet - Chaumet unveiled its new High Jewellery collection at the Musée Bourdelle La Nature de Chaumet - Chaumet unveiled its new High Jewellery collection at the Musée Bourdelle Paris

Le Blé/ The wheat 
A gift of the gods to mortals, wheat symbolises life, the earth’s bounty and the golden days of harvest. It can also be found in Chanel’s new high jewelry collection. Chaumet made use of the wheat motif on the ethereal tiaras of the Belle Époque and on brooches in the post-war period. This sheaf of nine stalks of wheat seems to rustle in the wind in an expression of modernity of the French Empire. Empress Joséphine brought the neo-classical tiara back into fashion – emblem of power and sovereignty – prompting a resurgence of the use in jewellery of classical motifs such the sheaf of wheat, a symbol of fertility.

La Nature de Chaumet - Chaumet unveiled its new High Jewellery collection at the Musée Bourdelle Paris - 2luxury2com La Nature de Chaumet - Chaumet unveiled its new High Jewellery collection at the Musée Bourdelle Paris - 2luxury2-

Le Chêne

Whether enhanced by the radiant hues of dawn or by the colours of a stormy sky, it brings grandeur to jewellery creations as light as dew drops.

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La Nature de Chaumet - Chaumet unveiled its new High Jewellery collection at the Musée Bourdelle Paris - Le lysLa Nature de Chaumet - Chaumet unveiled its new High Jewellery collection at the Musée Bourdelle Paris - 2luxury2

 

 

Perfectly imperfect jewellery for the Contemporary Urban Male

By Philippe Mihailovich and Caroline Taylor.

thisishenson jewelry
If you love the fashion and jewellery that can be found at the visionary Parisian under-the-radar fashion outlet, l’Eclaireur or in the equally under-the-radar fashion jewellery outlet, Mad Lords -opposite Paris’ not so secret concept-gadget store, Colette – then you are likely to have discovered the amazing Medieval-like rustic creations from Andy Henson and Brent Gold.

Sharing a universe that recalls the neo-goth Rick Owens looks and the Game of Thrones, this stunningly ‘imperfect’ and soulful, trendy mens’ jewellery range from Australia is rocking Paris.

With hand carved, raw and organic creations that feel as if they have been around since the beginning of the Iron Age, yet timelessly contemporary, the duo are creating pieces that feel as if they have always had a long story. Far from the classic haute joaillerie traditional classics found on the Place Vendome, the creations are not trying to create fine pieces to a perfection required by conservative customers, instead they are pleasing the bold fashionable set who do not fear tattoos or piercings and other primal identity markings.

Even when they are required to work with precious stones, they would prefer the stones to be imperfect and as far from industrialised, commercial jewellery as possible. Each piece will have its own personal scars as traces of the creators, symbolic of hammering out metals, chains and clasps with raw hammers and primitive files.

Henson Polishing  Carved silver stacking rings

henson -Black diamond bead cuff . Handmade From recycled .925 Silver  henson 2016

“Roughness and rugged imperfections shape our sincere aesthetics” they say.”We aim to imbed our process in each piece, as a silent reminder of the surveyed journey of our source materials. Hands are the true conductors of the atelier, materials pass through them and are diligently adjusted, set or moulded. Such composed individual creation, allows for a truly organic process, that shapes each product individually. Something that machines can never strive to replace. We seek to reflect the true meaning of creation; to craft a product that need not explain its existence. Singular, profound and expressive designs that speak without shouting.”

“Forged, wrought and shaped, each single piece is subjected to a highly intensive process”, they suggest. “
Every phase takes hours of patient and diligent attention.
From the experimental treatments and meticulous polishes to hand-crafted chain links, to soldered connections, kiln casts and oxidisation forms, we carefully guide each individual process. Heirloom stones, reworked silver, salvaged mammoth bone and antique horn, form the atelier’s primal foundation. These are substances belonging to previous generations.”

We hope you will enjoy the video interview with this talented duo filmed in Paris during the Fashion Week and Tranoï trade fair and that you will be as enthusiastic as we are about their work.

thisishenson jewelry-thylacine door knocker ring set with an oldcut ruby

thisishenson jewelry- Antique Shell, Horn, Fossilised Mammoth and lots of Diamonds adorn our Handmade Silver offeringsthisishenson jewelry- Hand carved cuff with black diamonds thisishenson jewelry- Black handmade beads before they are off for stringing Rosecut Black Diamond flanked by 2 Grey Salt and Pepper Diamonds Henson weddin ring - Handmade and hand distressed band with two Australian Black Sapphires set in 9kt Gold  Henson -Hand carved rings with black diamonds , rubies and raw diamond cubes henson -Decayed Claw Ring with with a rare Aura Herkimer Diamond Henson - Perfectly imperfect jewellery for the Contemporary Urban Male Hand carved and distressed jewel rings Grey Rose Diamond Ring . Hand forged and carved silver band set with a grey diamond and four black diamonds Another set of wedding rings

 

Sunny Side Of Life: a Piaget High Jewellery and Fine Watchmaking Collection

Piaget - An exceptional #SunnySideOfLife cuff decorated with feathers marquetry-

During Paris Couture Week, Richemont-owned luxury watchmaking and jewellery maison Piaget and its International brand ambassador Jessica Chastain unveiled its latest high jewellery collection, inspired by a vibrant summer in Palm springs.

Screaming “Summer is always here and we’re ready to enjoy,” the new collection is a sunny and sparkling journey through intense colours, shimmering feathers, and flamboyant gold. Sunny Side Of Life consits of four themes: “Time and precious gold”, “Evergreen and joyful plant-life muse”, “Pink flamingo,” and “Water games and shades of blue.”

Sunny Side Of Life - a Piaget High Jewellery and Fine Watchmaking Collection - cuff with feathers marquetry

 

Sunny Side Of Life - a Piaget High Jewellery and Fine Watchmaking Collection 2016  radiance - 2luxury2 com-

Sunny Side Of Life - a Piaget High Jewellery and Fine Watchmaking Collection 2016  radiance - 2luxury2

The highlights of the collection are the exceptional cuffs with feathers marquetry (set with marquise-cut blue sapphires, princess-cut and triangle-cut diamonds), the white gold cuffs set with lapis lazuli and diamonds, and the cuff cuff set with blue sapphires and baguette-cut diamonds.

“With this High Jewellery and Fine Watchmaking collection, Piaget is writing a new chapter in the philosophy of the Maison, whose cornerstone is radiance. A chapter highlighting a unique glow, contagious joy and creative vivacity inspired by a sunny disposition,” explained the Swiss luxury watchmaker and jeweller.

Sunny Side Of Life - a Piaget High Jewellery and Fine Watchmaking Collection--

 

Sunny Side Of Life - a Piaget High Jewellery and Fine Watchmaking Collection 2016  radiance of the blue- 2luxury2 Sunny Side Of Life - a Piaget High Jewellery and Fine Watchmaking Collection 2016 - pink flamingo set Sunny Side Of Life - a Piaget High Jewellery and Fine Watchmaking Collection 2016 - gold radiance - 2luxury2 com- Sunny Side Of Life - a Piaget High Jewellery and Fine Watchmaking Collection 2016 - gold radiance - 2luxury2 com  pink flamingo set Piaget France ambassador Dorothée Gilbert Piaget - An exceptional #SunnySideOfLife cuff decorated with feathers marquetry International brand ambassador Jessica Chastain

piaget the sunny side of life 2016 collection 2luxury2

 

 

Sunny Side Of Life - a Piaget High Jewellery and Fine Watchmaking Collection-

 

Tiffany & co x Elsa Peretti Bean: A love for organic

The bean represents the origin of all things for famed Jewelry designer and philanthropist Elsa Peretti. A symbol of life’s beginning, Elsa Peretti’s Bean designs for Tiffany & co are defined by smooth contours and sensuous curves. The red lacquer purse, crafted from Japanese hardwood, lends a bold finishing touch to an evening look. This familiar … Read more

Blés Vendôme, le jardin éphémère: Gad Weil for Les Blés de Chanel High Jewelry

  Chanel and artist Gad Weil gave us the occasion to feel like Russel Crowe in the middle of an infinite wheat field in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator (2000). To feel the grains in your arms is an incomparable daydreaming state of mind. The wheat fields in the Place Vendôme in Paris is a poetic installation … Read more