Haute Couture is not just a place the uber-chic and wealthy attend for shopping the one-of-a-kind fashion ensembles seen on the runways here in July but also where they see the largest selection of high jewellery assembled at once in the world.
This past week in Paris, both charmed and awed the audience. In “haute joallerie” the abundance of stunning jewels was breathtaking. Innovation, unusual gemstones and highly technical designs created museum-worthy pieces you won’t just want to store in the safe. Prepare to be wowed!
Photo: Getty
One of Gabrielle Chanel’s paramours was the Duke of Westminster, who shared his passion for boating by entertaining Coco, among others, on the majestic yacht named the Flying Cloud. The motifs proved to be a treasure trove of inspiration to this collection inspired by all things for seaworthy vessels. Case in point, this exquisite pearl and diamond “Collier” is meant to mimic a bowline knot used in sailing.
Photo: Chanel
Celebrating music worldwide, Chaumet introduced their collection divided into four groups based on music venues. One called “Pastoral Anglaise,” was based on the opera music festival in England, Glyndbourne. In a most unique way, this enchanted watch mimicked the traditional English plaids and a garden motif made from emeralds, ruby, sapphires, and yellow sapphires and diamonds that are all set in white gold.
Photo: Chaumet
Following up her Versailles interiors collection, Dior jewelry creative director Victoire de Castellane this time went outside to the gardens which were known to hold a few secrets in the high-walled hedges. Here, this rare Secret Garden ring made from emeralds, tourmalines, sapphires, garnets, diamonds, and rubies opens the pink gold cage to reveal a beautiful diamond flower inside.
Photo: Dior
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In their new Confute collection, Vuitton pays homage to a “conquering self-assured and seductive woman.” This necklace is made from harlequin white opals, diamonds and a rare 37-carat Imperial Topaz. Be assured, this necklace will seduce you.
Photo: Louis Vuitton
This highly entertaining collection, based on a mysterious garden, features hidden figures and secret messages as well as moveable parts. Case in point, this Papillion Secret watch made from diamonds, black spinel, onyx and a 14.5-carat exceptional Columbian emerald. The wings of the beautiful creature spread open to reveal a mother-of-pearl watch face.
Photo: Van Cleef & Arpels
The Lumière de Nuit chapter within Boucheron’s “Imperial Hiver” collection celebrates the frozen landscape of Russia’s great expanse. This “Flocon Impérial” or snowflake in massive scale, features a house favorite, rock crystal and diamonds on a necklace that can be in seven ways and as different jewelry. It converts to a ring, brooch, and a hair accessory as well making truly unique—just like a real snowflake.
Photo: Boucheron
This one-of-a-kind rare design cuff from Piaget plays back to the collections theme—Sunlight Journey—by flanking diamond rays with malachite slices and diamond pavé with an emerald solitaire from which the “beams” emanate.
Photo: Piaget
Chopard’s Silk Road Collection had the storied Geneva-based jeweler collaborate with Guo Pei, the Parisian couturier who was made infamous by the gown Rihanna wore to the 2015 Met Ball. A Haute Couture approach to jewelry used techniques similar to gowns. In these light-as-air jeweled earrings, a mix of chalcedony, Spessartite garnets, rubellites, pink sapphires, topazs, tourmalines, and tsavorites are set in 18K yellow gold and titanium to be worn in very un-couture-like manner — with a T-shirt and jeans — giving new meaning to “high/low.” Sounds like the perfect look for a Rihanna concert.
Photo: Chopard
For her first high jewelry collection, Charlotte Dauphin de la Rochefoucauld of Dauphin used a special gemstone — a blue sapphire sits flanked by pear and marquise cut-diamonds, seemingly resting on the finger magically.
Photo: Dauphin
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Taiwanese jeweler Cindy Chao has a way with making her jewelry flow like ribbons. In this exceptional bow ring from her 2017 Black Label Masterpieces No. X collection, the center stone is a rare red diamond flanked by triangular-cut white diamonds and set 18K white gold. Consider this a gift for your finger.
Photo: Cindy Chao
Buccellati has been thinking about the brides lately and this sole tiara has made a comeback for the fabled Italian house. But this one has got more than one trick up its sleeve as it also doubles as a choker. It features over 357 brillant-cut diamonds and a 4-carat teardrop shape diamond and was two years in the making.
Photo: Buccellati
In a rare move, one of De Beers C.E.O.s Francois Delage found this raw diamond in a De Beers Mine and knew it was meant to accent this headliner necklace. In new Lotus collection from the “Awakening,” it symbolizes the mysterious and spiritual flower before it surfaces above the water.
Photo: De Beers
Showing his collection at the Haute Couture in Paris for the first time, Nirav Modi introduced this necklace with 61 carats of Columbian emeralds — pear shaped and marquise cuts clustered to resemble a louts flower — and over 42 carats of diamond that cascade down the décolletage, hence the apropos naming “waterfall.”
Photo: Nirav Modi
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In their special collection for the Ritz Paris, Tasaki visited the concepts of French lace and created this exquisite fabric-like diamond collar. After all, a gal needs more than just a pearl necklace in her jewelry box.
Photo: Tasaki
Gaia Repossi holds the standard when it comes to modern fine jewelry. In her new “Studio Collection,” the designer places diamonds on a golden thread that seem to hang mysteriously. Ssssssounds intriguing!
The Richemont Creative Director has branched out to create his namesake high jewelry brand with his latest collection inspired by all things found in the Italian Mediterranean. This diamond and sapphire necklace recalls the lush bougainvillea that enraptures the Italian seaside village where the designer heads for some weekend R&R.
Photo: Giampiero Bodino
The house of Reza is one of the lone independent jewelers in the Place Vendôme. Olivier Reza, who has taken over for his father Alexandre, stays true to the maison’s attention to the highest quality gems designed as classics with a twist. This pave chain ‘Gatsby’ pendant features a rare high 14.45-carat high quality yellow diamond highlighting over 36 carats of white diamonds.
Photo: Reza
From: CR Fashion Book