Paris When it Sparkles
A selection of the innovative best, direct from Paris Haute Couture Week
A selection of the innovative best, direct from Paris Haute Couture Week
Earlier last month, Place Vendôme in Paris – the nucleus of high jewellery – turned into a media fiesta for journalists and bloggers. A recurring phenomenon twice a year, Paris Haute Couture Week is now as important a platform for high jewellery as it has been for fashion. Jewellery houses and designers from across the globe unveiled their latest creations here, amidst extravagant displays and a captivating ambience.
This year’s Couture Week not only saw the introduction of many new collections, but also the establishment of various trends, foray of fashion icons into the world of jewellery, the use of unusual gemstones, and display of exceptional manufacturing skills. For this issue, we have selected four brands that exhibited exceptional talent, elegance, and bravado.
Gucci
Renowned fashion brand Gucci now moves into the space of high jewellery with its first ever collection ‘Hortus Deliciarum’, which is housed in a shiny new jewellery boutique at Place Vendôme. Inspired by the poetic, kaleidoscopic world of Alessandro Michele, the 200-piece collection is highly eclectic due to its use of a variety
of coloured gemstones, ranging from subtle sapphires to luscious black opals.
The collection is divided into three “chapters”, paying homage to the mythical Garden of Eden, Aracadia, and Xanadu. The first chapter symbolizes eternal love with vivid, colourful imagery like hearts, plumetipped cupid arrows, and en tremblant movement. The next chapter brings forth the importance of the animal kingdom with lion, tiger, and serpent motifs.
The final chapter brings forth striking solitaires with a maximalist allure. Overall, the collection portrays immense historic symbolism and showcases Michele’s incomparable vision.
Boucheron
As a finishing touch to the recently renovated family house of Boucheron, their latest collection, ‘Paris Vu Du 26’, takes inspiration from Paris, Place Vendôme, and their number 26V boutique.
From ornate inspirations like the iconic Grand Palais, architectural marvel Column Vendôme, as well as motifs like acanthus leaves, the intricate details of cobblestones, ornate ceilings of the family house, pet cat Wladimir, and the view from 26V’s balcony, each tangible and intangible feel has been transformed into design marvels and encrusted with diamonds and gemstones.
The various perspectives from the city of love have been interpreted with the use of intricate and unusual techniques, resulting in trendsetting jewellery, few of which can also been worn in multiple avatars. The entire collection, although very elegant, has a very venturesome overtone as if paying tribute to the visionary and daring founder, Frédéric Boucheron.