SPARKLING Debut
In its first appearance at London’s distinguished Masterpiece art and design fair, Moussaieff stuns with the range and distinction of its jewels
Masterpiece lives up to its selfproclaimed high standards with aplomb, because not only is the London-based art and design fair filled with the kind of extraordinary pieces we all wish we had inherited, it is also an ode to artistry.
Set in a vast marquee in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, it shares the garden with one of the most beautiful buildings in West London. And the interior of the grand tent is just as luxurious, with grass-matting floors and gentle low lighting somehow mimicking the colours of the Christopher Wren gem next door.
But what is particularly noticeable about Masterpiece is the seamless way it bridges the gap between art and fashion. As the two worlds become increasingly intertwined, with designers taking inspiration from artists, and sculptors designing the backdrops of runway shows, a joint fair seems increasingly logical.
As ever, at this year’s Masterpiece extraordinary pieces of jewellery drew gasps from the well-heeled crowd. In particular, and despite being known as one of the industry’s most discreet jewellery houses, Moussaieff dazzled with one of the largest jewellery stands in attendance.
“Masterpiece is the opportunity to shine in the context of sophisticated connoisseurs, experts and collectors,” says Alisa Moussaieff, managing director of the brand. “Like fine art, our jewels are exceptionally rare. And I believe the clients who want to buy fine furniture and art also want to buy high jewellery andrare gems. It is our first London fair, which is very exciting for a London-based brand. We hope to continue to strengthen our UK client base. It is also exciting, as Masterpiece is very much on the international summer calendar, with its enormous global prestige and gravitas.”
One of the standout pieces at the Moussaieff exhibit was a natural fancy yellow-green and marquise-cut diamond ring, complete with blue and pink pear-shape diamonds. Another was a pair of chandelier earrings set with oval Burmese rubies and diamonds. “With this fair, we hope to raise the visibility of the brand and to reinforce our messaging as one of the leaders in coloured diamonds, fine gemstones, as well as exquisite design,” says Moussaieff. “We also fly in VIPS and invite them to enjoy this special cultural and sophisticated moment in the historic Royal Hospital Chelsea.”
One of the pieces of which Moussaieff herself is most proud, which she exhibited exclusively at the fair, features Colombian cabochon old-mine emeralds. “The larger 28.37-carat cabochon emerald is surrounded by emerald beads of 19.76 carats, while the other 23.21-carat emerald cabochon dangles boldly,” she says. “Over one carat of Paraiba tourmaline playfully offsets 17.88 carats of white pear-shaped diamonds. The overall effect is delicate yet impacting. I believe it will capture the attention of a connoisseur.”
And given Masterpiece allows guests to curate an entire aesthetic, from the plates they eat off to the paintings they look at and the furniture they sit on, Moussaieff has set the standard on what jewellery they should wear while cultivating this alluring lifestyle.