Jewelery for men, but without taking the concept too far. In perfect harmony with the current theme of genderless, Vuitton launches a line of men’s jewelry. White, yellow and diamond gold, but also titanium, for bracelets, chains and pendants inspired by Gaston-Louis Vuitton, founder of the French Maison which is part of the LVMH group. The collection is named after him: Gaston-Louis Vuitton, innovator and collector who transformed a luggage company into a luxury concept, with the brand’s icon reproduced (and copied) on bags, clothes and jewellery. The new line was conceived by the artistic director for Vuitton watches and jewellery, Francesca Amfitheatrof.
The collection is divided into three lines with 16 pieces and two masterpieces. All the rings, pendants, necklaces, medals, gourmette, bracelets and earrings feature the classic monogram as a decorative element together with the initials LV enclosed in a circle. Iconic elements that alternate on the surface of the jewels, with the interlude of diamonds. They are jewels that cost 10-15,000 euros, intended for young men, who are not afraid to deal with the luxury intended for the female public. Who knows if Gaston-Louis Vuitton would have worn them too.
Lines that evoke art deco atmospheres are a feature of Louis Vuitton jewelry. And even the new high jewelery collection of the Maison, called Deep Time, remains faithful to its aesthetic key. This is the fifth creative season for the Louis Vuitton brand by Francesca Amfitheatrof, artistic director of watches and jewelery for the French brand. And it was probably very demanding, given that Deep Time also involved an equally long and profound work: it is Louis Vuitton’s largest high jewelery collection to date, with over 170 unique pieces, divided into 16 themes, with 95 of these gathered in the first chapter. A great commitment also with regard to the gems used which, given the breadth of the collection, are represented in all shades and origins around the world.
The evolution of the Earth, understood as the history of the planet, divided into geological eras lasting millions of years, is also the theme of the different lines of the collection, including geographical, philosophical and mythological references. Gondwana, for example, is dedicated to an exceptional seven-strand platinum necklace, with as many Colombian emeralds: in the center there is a 4.51-carat stone with a particularly saturated color. The strands of the emeralds are enriched with 259 diamonds. The necklace also comes with earrings and a ring.
The name of the necklace, Gondwana, refers to the super continent that millions of years ago gave birth to the current conformation of Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and Australia. And the threads of the necklace allude to the circular movement of the Earth, which has the V at its center that marks the Vuitton jewelry collections. Rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets which, after all, were made with gems created in the depths of the Earth many geological eras ago, in deep time.
Charlotte Chesnais well-rounded
New jewels signed by the French designer Charlotte Chesnais ♦
Charlotte Chesnais was the rising star of the jewelry world, winner of the Andam fashion award 2015, the international award that supports fashion talents and from this year also accessories, a category assigned to the young designer who debuted in 2014 with the homonymous brand. Pure and seductive lines for the pupil of Nicolas Ghesquière from Balenciaga (now the designer is the creative director of the Louis Vuitton brand), who to create his pieces first models clay and then melts them in silver, vermeil and gold, in some cases with the addition of small diamonds.
The inspiration comes from the female body, from its curves, even from motherhood. In fact, the jewels have rounded shapes, perhaps a little intricate, but never aggressive. Wearing spirals and interconnected circles such as earrings, rings or bracelets occupy a three-dimensional space, yet they are strangely simple too. At least just enough to be able to combine them easily. But the new AlplhaJewels Collection is instead inspired by the letters of the alphabet, naturally interpreted with the creativity of the designer, who recently opened a new boutique at 169 Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris.
The love of Aimée.Aimer
The Carrine Larretgère’s jewels, who founded the Aimée.Aimer brand. Her style? It is lovely.
It is better to love or be loved? Who loves more? And the love is loved? Questions that, perhaps, has set Carine Larretgère after his career at Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs. At one point in his life, Carine decided in 2012 to love herself and her passions. So he founded Aimée.Aimer (in French means loved and loving), a brand of the genre jewels whose geometry is the starting point. Gold and precious stones make the classic rich his creations that combine semicircles with straight lines, with volumes dictated mainly by small beads or spheres of semi precious stones such as malachite.
They breathe clean lines, simple but not banal, and a Parisian pleasure for beautiful things of value, but also in taste. Among polished gold and satin, rubies, diamonds, emeralds and sapphires, one must not forget the origins of the Maison. She says: “It’s simple: to love and be loved, essential engines for the life of one who met her husband of 20 years. This choice, simply.”
The new Empreinte by Louis Vuitton
The Empreinte name is an icon of the Louis Vuitton brand. Indicates a collection of bags but also of jewelry. Empreinte was born almost 20 years ago, in 2004, but now the artistic director for jewelry and watches, Francesca Amfitheatrof, has expanded the collection. The design is inspired by the imprint of the rivets used on traditional trunks, which has been engraved on the jewels in 18-karat yellow, white or pink gold. In the wake of the now meanstream vision, jewels are for both men and women. Like the other creations of the Maison that is part of the LVMH group, the jewels bear the initials LV, designed by Georges Vuitton in 1896, in addition to the classic perforated Monogram flowers.
The flower with four petals, for example, is clearly visible on medallions and bracelets. The collection includes a long sautoir necklace that easily transforms into a multi-strand bracelet or overlapping necklaces. There are also shaped hoop earrings and a single rose gold diamond earring that can be worn alone or together.
Can ceramic jewelry be trusted?
Is it reliable to buy a ceramic jewel? Are ceramic jewels fragile? Here is the answer ♦
Durable, very resistant and incredibly light: the use of ceramic in jewelry is an unstoppable trend thanks to the technology that today allows to obtain a resistant material. Do not worry that it is fragile: the new ceramic used in jewelry is made of a kind of new steel that has nothing to do with the fragility of the flower pots or the dishes to contain the food (even if there are small producers who still use traditional ceramics: be careful). For those who are doubtful: this ceramic is made with titanium carbide, a compound similar to tungsten carbide, used in the aerospace industry, in the production of weapons and tools. And the most surprising aspect is that very little wear: in practice, the ceramic always looks new.
It is therefore not surprising that major brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Bulgari, Cartier and Gucci, de Grisogono, Solange Azagury-Partridge or Damiani and Demeglio have chosen it to give their creations, especially timeless icon jewels, an indestructible strength lightened by the beauty of the design. For example, in the B.Zero1 line by Bulgari, in the rings with the Gucci monogram, in the bands of the Cartier Trinity motif and in the Clous theme by Louis Vuitton. All timeless pieces also for their resistance.
And Wallace Chan, one of the greatest jewelers-artists, a couple of years ago developed an incredible indestructible porcelain and five times harder than steel, a material that allows him to create jewelry, but also sculptures, which could not be made with other elements. In short, a very different material from the ceramic used for jewelry in the Victorian era.
Positive aspects: tech ceramic jewels are not scratched, they are very resistant, they can be easily cleaned with water and a few drops of detergent on a damp cloth.
Negative aspects: they do not have the same value as gold and in case of sale they are less quoted. A ceramic ring cannot be reduced or enlarged.
What distinguishes a high jewelry collection from another? The design, the stones used, the style of those who conceived it. Agree. But there is more. A jewel is unmistakable only if, alongside the opulence of its elements, materials and gems, it also retains its own spirit, something more that determines its charm. As in the case of the 125 pieces of high jewelery presented by Louis Vuitton in a collection called Spirit. It is the fourth creation with the Maison of the Lvmh group of Francesca Amfitheatrof, the most cosmopolitan creative director of the globe (American father of Russian origin, Italian mother, born in Japan, studied in London and worked in New York, and now in Paris) .
The spirit in question, the one born with Monsieur Louis Vuitton’s first-class suitcases, is the classic flower monogram, which occurs together with the initials LV in the French brand’s jewels. But, unlike other big names in fashion and jewelry, in this case it is perfectly integrated into the jewelry. For example, a new diamond cut with the shape of the monogram flower has been introduced and patented. Spirit is also the largest collection of fine jewelry ever created by the Maison, which in total required some 40,000 hours of work. Another feature of the collection is that it includes many decomposable jewels.
Spirit is high jewelery, with unique pieces and stones. Like the Art Nouveau necklace with lots of diamonds and, above all, a royal blue sapphire from Sri Lanka weighing 18.08 carats. For this necklace Francesca Amfitheatrof used a diamond mosaic together with a hinge mechanism like that of the trunks, together with emeralds from Colombia, with an 8.90 carat gemstone, and a 2.60 carat D VVS1 diamond in the characteristic Monogram Flower cut.
The Grace necklace has a double V design. It was crafted from custom cut baguette diamonds, with round diamonds curving in a soft wave on white gold. And most importantly, a huge 65.26-carat tsavorite hangs from the necklace. The stone is also a detachable pendant. The necklace took 2,000 hours of work and is accompanied by rings with the same materials and the same style.
Among the exceptional gems in the collection there is also a Mozambican ruby of over 10 carats, with an intense red hue with an unusual emerald cut. It is applied, together with others, to a necklace and can be detached and then applied to a diamond ring, which in turn can be broken down and added to the necklace. In short, a very precious game.
One way to be appreciated by others is to love yourself. If, then, it is a brand celebrated all over the world, emphasizing its exclusivity becomes almost an obligation. This is why there are many fashion and jewelry houses that launch collections inspired by anniversaries or their own history. This is the case of Louis Vuitton, the main brand of the LVMH group, which presented its Bravery II collection during the Paris fashion week. The Roman numeral indicating two is necessary, given that it is the second chapter of the high jewelery collection that pays homage to the 200th anniversary of the birth of the founder, Louis Vuitton. Who, recalls the Maison, showed courage in embarking on his path as an entrepreneur (we talked about it here).
The collection presented, in any case, is made up of 20 new pieces of high jewelery divided into four different themes (Le Multipin, Le Magnétisme, La Mini Malle e Cocktail Rings). At the heart of the motifs identified by the creative director Francesca Amfitheatrof are always the shapes of padlocks, clasps and letters V, which refer to the brand of the Maison. Symbols using diamonds and colored gemstones. For example, the over 20-carat sapphire that makes up the pendant of the Le Magnétism necklace is suspended by a V made up of baguette-cut diamonds. The pendant can be detached and becomes a brooch. And this is a feature of the entire collection: most of Bravery II’s pieces are transformable and can be worn in different ways.
Another example concerns the line called Mini Malle, in white gold and diamonds. The name and appearance of these jewels is linked to the geometric shape of the Petite Malle trunk, created by Louis Vuitton in 2014. As for the tight-link choker necklace, made up of three Mini Malles inspired by the house’s monogram made of diamonds.
The iconic V, the letter of the alphabet that has turned into the hallmark of Louis Vuitton, is not lacking. The new high jewelery collection of the French brand, born from the creativity of the artistic director Francesca Amfitheatrof, however, has more demanding ambitions than the simple reproduction in luxury scale of the logo of the queen Maison of the LVMH group. Not surprisingly, the collection is called Bravery, and courage is its banner. Also in this collection the common thread comes from the history of the brand, or rather, of its founder, coinciding with the 200th anniversary of its birth, on 4 August 1821.
The collection, in fact, is divided into eight lines that are inspired by as many episodes in the life of Monsieur Louis Vuitton, the man who created stackable trunks and, perhaps, also the concept of luxury. The world-famous LV brand has been a symbol ever since, loved, desired (and copied). For example, the first stop in the collection is La Constellation d’Hercule, which indicates the stellar combination that witnessed the birth of Louis Vuitton. Or the La Flêche necklace is inspired by the long (three years) journey of the very young Vuitton to Paris, where he would have created the foundations for his empire. The arrow shape ends with a large blue sapphire. In short, the collection does not betray the expectations or even the bicentennial history of the Parisian Maison.
B Blossom collection by Louis Vuitton is enriched with new pieces, which are variations on the original theme. The collection was presented two years ago and represented the debut of the former Tiffany Francesca Amfitheatrof, as artistic director for Louis Vuitton’s Watches and Jewelry area. The collection has garnered acclaim and has remained among the most popular jewelry lines of the French brand. The aesthetic of the collection plays around the characteristic Monogram flower that distinguishes the Maison.
In the 2021 variant, gold and diamonds are added a mix of colored stones such as onyx, carnelian, malachite, agate, selected to visually warm the appearance of the jewels. There are two variants, in yellow or pink gold. The novelties include bracelets or light pendants, which can also be worn all together. The line also includes button earrings and rings with cabochon-cut stones fixed on the raw stem, without setting.
Wear different earrings: you can. Here are the tips on how to wear different earrings with success ♦
Have you lost half of a pair of your favorite or precious earrings and sadly wondered what to do with the surviving earring? Well, you are in luck. On the red carpet, there have been many unmatched pairs of jewels. Not only in the ears of the stars, but also in the shows of big names in French fashion, from Dior to Louis Vuitton to Céline. Fortunately, it is not necessary to be a model or an actress to be able to afford to mix circles, solitaires and chandeliers without inducing others to assume that you have dressed in the dark. Indeed, to have an original look here are four simple tips.
1 Use the same metal
Gold with gold, silver with silver, copper with copper … better to wear jewelry made with the same metal, even if different shades. Nuances, however, not the colors: in general, it is better not to choose, for example, to wear rose gold with yellow gold. More freedom, however, in the choice of glazes and stones. Everything is simpler, however, if the earrings are small in size: in this case you will notice less possible not nice pairings.
2 Long live the contrast
Another way to wear different earrings is to focus on the contrast. For example, punk style along with romantic style. A steel horn or fake tortoise with a classic stone, a safety pin with a pearl, or a skull with a flower. In short, contrasting symbols, shapes that screech, even opposite colors: the important thing is that they notice. But, of course, do a mirror test first: ok to diversity, but the opposites must have a pleasant effect.
3 Look for singles
Now many jewelry companies also sell single earrings: a good starting point for those who want to wear different earrings and spend less. In this case you can opt for an earring of great value, while on the other ear you can wear a less expensive jewel, provided you know how to combine it well. An piece with a pendant, for example, is fine with another stud earring.
4 The game of couples
Buy the various sets of fashion jewelry in the big clothing chains and mix them: they are cheap and are designed for this. It’s the easiest way to try a new look. In this case you can wear together, with a strange mix, even very distant brands, such as Armani and Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Ferragamo. Monica Battistoni
In common opinion, a mascot is a person or an animal that brings good luck. Louis Vuitton, however, did not need the brand’s mascot, which is called Vivienne, to be lucky: success had achieved it even before. In any case, years ago the company of the LVMH group introduced the Vivienne mascot, originally conceived as a decorative object, and which has subsequently been transformed into bags, accessories and, now, into jewelry.
The design of the jewelry is inspired by the two Monogram flowers, the round ones and the pointed ones, always with four lobes. They are the flowers that make up the logo of the French company. Vivienne, however, has a similar appearance to a small puppet: she stands on her legs with her eyes wide open. It also has two movable arms, free to swing. These precious little puppets are used as pendants. They are available in two sizes and in different styles, in the three colors of gold, with diamonds and red or black lacquer. Finally, a larger, medium version can also be used as a brooch.
Louis Vuitton has launched the second fine jewelry collection signed by Francesca Amfitheatrof, artistic director of the watch and jewelry sectors of the French brand part of the LVMH group. The style of the new jewelry line is exactly that simple and sophisticated that characterized the creative when she was at Tiffany: clean, modern lines, with the addition of a few diamonds here and there to enrich the jewelry. But, at the same time, the collection is perfectly in the Vuitton style, since it proposes variations on the theme of the logo of the famous Maison, characterized by the letters L and V, variously intertwined.
Not surprisingly, the jewelry line is called LV Volt. It is made up of 36 pieces in gold and diamonds. But it also has another aspect: it is unisex. The male world, in fact, is the new frontier for large jewelry companies, which hope to persuade men to wear earrings, bracelets and necklaces not only in rough metal, but also in gold and precious stones. In fact, the advertising campaign, photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, enlisted both women and men: the actress Alicia Vikander, ambassador of the Maison and Oscar winner, the dancer of the Paris Opera Hugo Marchand, the Belgian painter and model Sharon Alexis and model XiaoXing Mao.
The objects found and the new jewels by Francesca Villa, a designer who brings the past back to life ♦ ︎
For years, in Valenza, she has developed collections of jewelry for brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Asprey, De Grisogono, De Beers, Tiffany, Bulgari and American companies such as Bailey, Banks and Biddle, Mayors and Jlg. Then, Francesca Villa said stop. But not to jewelry: she decided to create jewelry for herself, with her own brand. After travel and travel, she returned near Valenza, in the small town of Solonghello. Far from the noise of the big cities, yet very close to the world.
The specialty of Francesca Villa, in fact, is traveling over time. Through the jewels, of course. In her travels he buys objects and figures from other eras and uses them for her collections, which are flanked by more traditional jewels, with gold and precious gems. One could say that the designer lives in the present with jewels like her jewels like spheres and triangles, and in the past with the Object Trouvé, unique pieces that become precious for the story they bring inside. “I recognize these fragments of their evocative power, because an object always refers to a subject, to us, to our lost and rediscovered time”, is his philosophy. ” It is therefore from the union between objéts trouvés and precious materials, through the skilful work of Italian master goldsmiths, that the jewel that I conceived is born and develops, an unexpected union between worlds far away but from whose union blossoms an unrepeatable object, that of its uniqueness makes an absolute value”. Lavinia Andorno
Luxury jewelry? Vivrelle lends them to you
Would you like to show off a Bulgari jewel, but you don’t have enough money to buy it? Or maybe you prefer Van Cleef & Arpels? Or, again, by Cartier? In the United States they found the solution: it’s called Vivrelle. The idea is of Wayne and Blake Geffen and it is very simple: a club that offers those who sign up the opportunity to wear luxury brands. For now, the service is reserved for the US, but the founders plan to extend it to other countries. By the way: in addition to jewelry, Vivrelle also offers bags, clothes and other designer products. The idea was liked, also because it allows you to easily change wardrobes and jewelry.
It works like this: club membership costs a minimum of $ 99 a month, or 199 or 279. In the first case (Classique), you can borrow one item per month with an estimated retail value of less than $ 4,000. With the second option (Couture) you can borrow one item per month worth more than $ 4,000, including rare, unique and limited edition pieces. The third possibility increases the loan to two objects at a time: one piece from the Classique wardrobe and one object from the Couture wardrobe.
One of the most successful aspects is that borrowed clothes or jewelry can be kept for as long as desired. Shipping costs are included in the subscription. The list of jewelry brands in the catalog, which can be browsed online, includes Stephanie Gottlieb, Cartier, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, Ermete, Chanel, Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, as well as a series of necklaces, rings and bracelets with diamonds made available directly by Vivrelle.
High jewelery at Pad London
Pad London returns with a group of Maison and high jewelery designer. Here’s who they are ♦ ︎
It’s called Pad London and is the sister of the similar Parisian fair. But this is no less important, at least for jewelry. Indeed, the International Exhibition for Modern Art, Design, Decorative Arts, Photography, Jewelery & Tribal Art (30 September – 6 October 2019) offers the lucky ones who can buy high-end jewelery pieces some masterpieces by selected Maison or designers.
In Berkeley Square, London, United Kingdom, 69 major international galleries will be displaying pieces of contemporary design, glass and ceramics, and collectible jewelry. Like those of the French designer Lorenz Bäumer, former artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s fine jewelry. But also by Boghossian, Fabio Salini, Taffin, Elisabetta Cipriani Wearable Art, Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie, Karry Berreby, Glenn Spiro, Hemmerle, Objet Emotion, Valery Demure, The Beautiful Watch, Suzanne Syz, Walid Akkad.
Pad London
Berkeley Square, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 5AX
PHONE
+33 (0) 1 53 30 85 20
From 30 September to 6 October 2019
OPENING TIME
Monday: collectors preview 11: 00-20: 00, VIP opening Tuesday 11: 00-20: 00, from Wednesday to Saturday 11: 00-20: 00, Sunday 11: 00-18: 00
www.pad-fairs.com
Ladies and knights of Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton in search of maidens to be saved with the Riders of the Knights collection of high jewelry ♦
A sword, a steed, a lady to be saved or protected. The chivalric tales are the inspiration for the Louis Vuitton Riders of the Knights high jewelry collection. After all, isn’t it said that women look for a prince charming? Here they are satisfied, as long as the noble knight has the means to buy one of the jewels of the collection. These are 50 exceptional pieces inspired by the medieval codes of chivalry and heraldic crests. If then the woman has a castle available is even better.
The medieval codex, for example, is used for the Royaume choker, which is inspired by the ruff, protection for the neck of armor. At the center stands a royal blue sapphire of 19.31 carats, around the jewel is made with a precious embroidery made with 1600 diamonds and other sapphires. Or the Reine necklace, with nine aquamarines for 143 carats with a deep hue: the name of the jewel evokes regal meetings, minstrels, lute music. There are also rings, obviously chevalier, like the one with emerald and four marquise-cut diamonds that make up the classic Louis Vuitton flower. The knight of today presents himself, in fact, with a Lv brand bag. Alessia Mongrando
Louis Vuitton’s B Blossom collection: the repeated brand is the true star of jewels ♦
After the Blossom collection came the Star Blossom and, now, it’s the time of the B Blossom. We always speak of flowers, but of particular petals: those that make up the star created by Georges-Louis Vuitton in 1896. The most well-known and copied brand for years celebrates itself by reproducing itself on clothes, bags and jewelry. Just like in the different versions of the Blossom collections.
The jewels of the new line are in rose and yellow gold and diamonds, and include seven rings, bracelets, earrings, pendants and chain necklaces.
Vuitton’s Monogram is the undisputed king of the collection. In case anyone had any doubt about which brand they are, well, it won’t last long. In addition to gold and small diamonds, jewels use semi-precious stones such as malachite, onyx, white agate and pink opal. Three rings are chevalier, both in carved stone or in pavé diamonds. Again, needless to add, with the star-shaped flower in diamonds set on white gold.
Another highlight of the collection is a gold bracelet with five pearls and diamonds, or onyx. Did we tell you how much the Vuitton flower icon repeats? Giulia Netrese
The Star Blossom easy-to-wear collection by Louis Vuitton, the famous rose gold and diamond logo ♦ ︎
Louis Vuitton is no longer a brand identified only in the famous bags decorated with the equally famous brand. The offer of the French Maison that is part of the Lvmh group, in fact, also spans the jewels. One of the simplest and most successful collections is Blossom, which is renewed with new pieces and a re-flowered name: Star Blossom. These easy-to-wear jewels have the advantage of affordable price (from 3,000 to 8,000 euros on average) and are by their nature wearable on any occasion. As in the collection from which it originates, and which has many years behind it, even Star Blossom is focused on the Maison logo, created in 1896 by Georges-Louis Vuitton and used as a decorative element, just like for leather goods.
In this collection, however, the four petals of the flower are made of pink gold and small diamonds.
To the jewels (necklace, bracelet, earrings, rings) are added a watch for women, always in the same style of jewelry. It is in rose gold and diamonds, with quartz movement and a mother-of-pearl background with the flower of the Monogram LV. The watch also allows you to easily change the strap. Giulia Netrese
Louis Vuitton presents the new collection of high jewelry, Régalia, which marks the debut of Francesca Amfitheatrof ♦ ︎
It was a surprise to many the release of Francesca Amfitheatrof from Tiffany and the subsequent landing at Louis Vuitton, in April. And, still, many they were curious to observe the first steps of the new creative director for jewelry. Here they are satisfied, even if the new collection of fine jewelry, Conquêtes – Régalia, is likely to be the result at least in part of the previous work, since jewels of that type are made in long weeks of work, preceded by an equally long selection of stones.
Régalia is, therefore, a new chapter in the Conquêtes collection, and is inspired by the signs of kings and emperors, that is to say, to the heraldry (the codes of the coats of arms) and the study of the honors, orders and decorations. That said it looks like something a little dusty. But it’s just an inspiration. In reality it is the classic collection of high-end jewelry typical of Vuitton, where the emblem refers to the Maison, the letter V that repeats itself in the form of gold covered with diamonds and becomes the design around which the jewel rotates, or the four lobes of the flower of the Vuitton logo, always mentioned, but without the brand overwhelming the balance of the jewel.
The collection is quite large: Régalia consists of seven sets and around 60 pieces. A falls of diamonds, of course, but also an accurate research of the colored stones, around which the different pieces are composed. Large emeralds, but also red spinels, mint green tourmalines, large yellow sapphires, tsavorite. They are the same stones to be an emblem, of luxury and wealth. Giulia Netrese