Haute Heritage
Drawing inspiration from its iconic monogram, Louis Vuitton has created the B.blossom fine jewellery collection that merges femininity with power and independence, writes Annie Darling
The interlocking l and v signature printed alongside a geometric floral pattern is one of Louis Vuitton’s greatest assets. The brand’s monogram epitomises its luxurious aesthetic, and it is instantly recognisable. Designed by Louis Vuitton’s son, Georges Vuitton, in the late 19th century as part of his expansion of the company’s luggage business, it has since become one of the most widely seen icons in the world. It is a mainstay motif in the brand’s ready-to-wear and accessories collections, and has also managed to find its way into its watches and jewellery. The beloved monogram is at the heart of Louis Vuitton’s new fine jewellery collection, B.blossom, the first designed by Francesca Amfitheatrof, the maison’s newly appointed artistic director for jewellery and watches. Amfitheatrof beautifully incorporates the abstract floret in numerous novel ways, and present it in a sophisticated manner. Based on Louis Vuitton’s monogram flower motif, B.blossom fully embraces its historical roots. The collection’s origins are unmistakeable, both in aesthetic and feel, thanks to the art deco-esque logo that is as uncompromising as it is eye-catching. Rather than distilling the French luxury house’s heritage, B.blossom’s stylised four-petal flower is shown in its most basic form. The result is an impressive display of exemplary craftsmanship, but its most striking feature is its surprising simplicity and informality, which makes the line inescapably charismatic and wearable. The collection is also marked by its generous use of yellow and pink gold. Its stackable rings, bracelets and cuffs, earrings, pendants and oversized chain necklaces have a robustness that subtly merges femininity with power and independence. The flower, meanwhile, is emboldened in the guise of a stylish spherical stamp, and presented with generous helpings of malachite, onyx, white agate, pink opal and diamonds. The collection is beautiful and elegant, but at the same time modern, challenging conventional shapes and capitalising on Louis Vuitton’s logo in its purest form. By showcasing the continued versatility of the historic monogram pattern, B.blossom places emphasis on the house’s enduring style, one that has not only stood the test of time, but has been revived and refreshed in the most extraordinary ways possible.