FOR LOVE OF LACE
Couture and jewellery meet in Dior’s latest high jewellery collection, Dior Dior Dior
Dior chose possibly the most glamorous time of the year in the French capital, Haute Couture Week in early July, to unveil 65 of its latest exquisite creations, a sensuous, lace-inspired collection of high jewellery called Dior Dior Dior.
“I wanted to capture the sensation of lightness and the haute couture signature of lace, which, like ribbons, silk and draping, is essential to the Dior lexicon,” Victoire de Castellane, creative director of fine jewellery, explains as she walks us through the exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art.
To capture the fluidity of lace and intricacy of its patterns, Dior called on the best jewellery ateliers in Paris—those who “worked precious metals to the extreme,” De Castellane says. “It was a veritable technical feat. Essentially, they created silken
embroidery out of gold that illuminates the central stones, such as emeralds, blue and pink sapphires, yellow diamonds and spessartite garnets. They would appear to be stitched directly onto the golden chiffon, while the diamonds, sculpted like sequins, enhance the couture effect.
“Imagine cutting bits of lace, placing them on the hand and transforming them into colourful jewels. As you see in the curves and details of these jewels, we embrace lace’s natural tendency to twist and unfurl, as well the delicacy of its patterns.”
Through this collection, which De Castellane describes as “delicate but empowered,” she demonstrates once more her ability and boldness to push the boundaries of jewellery design. “Each of my collections leads me to the next, and I adore the idea of going even further—going there where I am least expected.”
And we’re watching, very closely.