CALL OF THE WILD

Much like Cartier’s iconic animal, Vanessa Kirby follows her own path with determination

The French Maison’s latest La Panthère campaign, set in a swamp, features Vanessa Kirby in a red gown, reclining languidly along the branches of a sentinel tree. Reflecting on her time in the wild for the set, she shares, “It’s been asking me to let go, you know, to let the raw woman inside of me out, to let the panther out, actually.”

This idea has long guided Kirby’s own craft. The British actor highlights “leaning into something that is wild and uncomfortable,” exemplifying this in her roles as Princess Margaret in The Crown and as a grieving mother in Pieces of a Woman, which earned her an Oscar nomination. She further ponders, “Could I be more fearless?” With a graceful dive, she submerges into a clear lagoon and emerges as the panther—a symbol synonymous with Cartier’s elegance and strength of character. Since 1914, the spotted motif has been a wellspring of inspiration for Cartier, beginning with its appearance on a women’s wristwatch through a combination of onyx and diamonds. In 1948, Jeanne Toussaint brought it to life in three dimensions with a gold and enamel panther brooch set with a cabochon emerald.

In the years that followed, Cartier has recreated the majestic creature in various forms, from brooches to watches and jewelry. Employing a three-dimensional, anatomical approach, the luxury house meticulously captures the panther in dynamic poses with varied diamond cuts, enhancing its lifelike quality and accentuating the panther’s personality. Today, Cartier’s La Panthère resonates with a new generation, particularly fiercely independent women who see themselves reflected in the powerful panther.

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