Cartier transforms bags into jewels
The precious bag entered Cartier’s history in the early 1900s. They were like evening jewels, one of the first clad in chainmail with an owl’s head clasp (1906). Another displayed an Egyptian frieze with young girls on a papyrus background, while one evoked India in a beaded drawstring purse embroidered with Tutti Frutti-style tassels and drops (1930).
In the 1920s, Cartier appointed Jeanne Toussaint as director. Nicknamed “The Panther” because she loved panthers, she made the feline into the house emblem and a wild success. During this period, Cartier also invented the vanity case. It was tubular, like a gold cylinder deco- rated with white enamel bands and the initial “C” in diamonds which, according to legend, was offered by the Duke of Westminster to his mistress, Coco Chanel, in 1924. With compartments specially designed to hold a lipstick, miniature comb and cigarettes, the vanity case became a must-have at every event and party.
Cartier’s creativity with jewelry continues today with its one-of-a-kind pieces: entirely handmade atelier jewels that highlight the house’s great stylistic legends. Today, the panther is streamlined and graphic on black crocodile clutches and a gold mesh evening bag.
In the Philippines, Cartier is located at Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Shangri-La and Newport Resorts World. Follow @ssilifeph on Instagram for more information.