Fantastic Beasts and Flowers
Enter the kaleidoscopic universe of Alessandro Michele, as reimagined in the bold and brilliant pieces of Gucci’s first ever High Jewellery Collection
Check out what Gucci hatched at the opening of its new boutique— its high jewellery collection
Knowing Alessandro Michele’s passion for jewellery—he’s always seen with rings stacked on his fingers—it was only a matter of time before he debuts a high jewellery collection for Gucci. Which he eventually did, mid this year, deftly coinciding with the brand’s unveiling of its first jewellery boutique in the world at where else but Place Vendome, the epicentre for haute joaillerie.
Tatler was privileged to be the only title from Malaysia to witness this exclusive global event in Paris, and there in the beautiful Rococo-styled interiors of Hotel de La Salle, we first laid eyes on the glittering jewellery collection displayed across four distinct salons, with sunlight pouring in from the windows to cast an ethereal effect to the already dazzling gemstones.
Alessandro Michele calls the collection Hortus Deliciarum, affixed by the idea of evoking the splendour of love, nature and mythology. The creative director was involved in every step of the production, scouting for the best stones to adorn his creations which are seen through the prism of a mythical garden—hence the collection’s name, which is Latin for Garden of Delights.
Numbering more than 200 pieces, Hortus Deliciarum encompasses three worlds: Animal Kingdom, Heart and Arrow, plus Solitaires. Animal motifs have always run rampant in Gucci’s eclectic and gender-fluid range of clothes as well as accessories, so it isn’t any wonder that Alessandro injected these references into high jewellery too. Expect to see the lion, tiger, snake, bee and the triton (a mythical beast with the head of a tiger and tail of a fish) on gilded cuffs, necklaces and rings, shaped with precious gems and garlands of diamondpaved flowers and leaves.
In Heart and Arrow, the ornate settings of intertwining Rococo, Baroque and Georgian styles give a sense of timeless romance.
Alessandro’s creations are seen through the prism of a mythical garden