Reinventing an Icon

Newly appointed Louis Vuitton’s artistic director of watches and jewellery, Francesca Amfitheatrof ushers in a new era of design with the launch of her first collection, LV Volt.

Born in Tokyo, Francesca Amfitheatrof graduated from Chelsea College of Arts, Central St Martins University of the Arts London and the Royal College of Art. Having honed her skills and craft, she designed her first silverware collection in 1993, and since then has created accessories and jewellery for various brands including Tiffany and Co. Her love of travel, art and culture have heavily influenced both her design and her style. On joining the prestigious luxury house, Francesca commented, “It’s with great excitement that I join Louis Vuitton, a house I feel deeply connected to through its values of craftsmanship and travel.”

LV Volt is high-voltage fine jewellery that features Louis Vuitton’s iconic letters L and V. Designing the collection from scratch allowed Francesca the freedom to reimagine the famous brand, a challenge she eagerly embraced. She was inspired by female drummers and the pulsating rhythm of music, which lead her on an exploratory journey, revealing the results in her design. Francesca describes the collection as “a representation of Louis Vuitton, its spirit of adventure and discovery, and its strength and power”. Creating a unisex collection of cool yet timeless pieces that spread the message of inclusivity and generosity was crucial to her.

“...a representation of Louis Vuitton, its spirit of adventure and discovery...”

The intention to focus on the L and V letters was to present these historic initials in their purest form. The lines of each letter cut through space, creating angles on the interior, in which brilliantgold and fiery diamonds play off each other, creating synergy and rhythm. The collection comprises earrings, cuffs, studs, pendants and rings. Crafted from gold and diamonds, these architectural, sleek pieces were designed to be stacked and combined.

Fine craftsmanship has become synonymous with the House of Louis Vuitton since its inception in 1854.

One hundred and sixty years later, and nothing’s changed. The brand continues to pioneer a genuine ‘art of travel’ through its luggage, bags and accessories, which are not only practical but beautiful and elegantly crafted. Louis Vuitton’s commitment to producing unique designs combined with innovation and style has ensured it remains ahead of the game.