Paris, France – Despite the cold and grey weather, Haute Couture week in Paris brings a burst of color and excitement as private clients gather for a celebration of fashion and, for some, equally enchanting high-jewellery exhibits. Top houses strategically align their high-jewellery launches with the couture calendar, offering smaller yet focused collections that enchant connoisseurs. Here are the standout picks from this dazzling showcase.
Dior Délicat: A Delicate Fusion of Textile Elements
Victoire de Castellane at Dior continues to captivate with her exploration of the Couture atelier, translating textile elements like embroidery and lace into metal and gemstones. The Dior Délicat collection features delicate settings with layered stones, mirroring the lightness of fine fabrics and intricacy of needlepoint. These pieces seamlessly complement the storied exquisiteness of Dior Haute Couture.
Boucheron: The Power of Couture – A Ceremonial Affair
Claire Choisne at Boucheron draws inspiration from the ceremonial side of couture, delving into the textures, trimmings, and paraphernalia of the tailor-come-couturier’s atelier. Using carved rock crystal, she mimics grosgrain ribbon, medals, buttons, and braided ropes, creating a collection of 24 pieces with a pure and powerful proposition.
Graff: Hand-Selected Exceptional Gemstones
Graff’s new high-jewellery collection boasts extraordinary diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies, each hand-selected by a member of the Graff family. Highlight pieces include a bangle with a 118.17-carat unheated Sri Lankan sapphire and a 36.22-carat white oval diamond ring. The collection encompasses diverse design codes, from Art Deco-inspired necklaces to ribbon-inspired diamond necklaces and a striking bird ring.
David Morris: Skye – Inspired by the Northern Lights
David Morris introduces the Skye collection, inspired by the northern lights or aurora borealis. Electric blue Paraíba tourmalines and deep blush pink diamonds dominate, with a standout 34.88-carat padparadscha cocktail ring mimicking the pink aurora. The Starburst cuff, with inky blue sapphires and pale blue Paraíbas, adds to the collection’s visual splendor.
Louis Vuitton: Deep Time – A Continuation of Celestial Exploration
Francesca Amfitheatrof’s Deep Time collection for Louis Vuitton continues its celestial exploration, mapping the origins of the universe and the formation of planets. This second wave includes pieces that symbolize the beginnings of life itself.
Cartier: Le Voyage Recommencé – Nature and World Cultures Unveiled
Cartier’s Le Voyage Recommencé expands on last year’s collection, exploring nature and world cultures. The Yfalos necklace stands out with a color-clash tour de force featuring coral, emeralds, and turquoise.
Chaumet: Un Air de Chaumet – A Symphony of Birds
Chaumet’s Un Air de Chaumet is a small collection inspired by birds, offering brooches, earrings, and hair ornaments. Golden feathers, darting swallows, and birds of paradise showcase a sense of movement and quiet elegance.
De Beers: Forces of Nature – Unique Rings Emblematic of Southern Africa
De Beers presents the Forces of Nature collection, featuring eight one-off rings, each representing an animal emblematic of southern Africa. Central diamonds are surrounded by detachable “jackets” or “crowns” with distinctive design elements, such as the lion with a mane of beaded gold and the buffalo with horns picked out in brown diamonds.
