1. WHEN HAUTE COUTURE MEETS WATCHMAKING
Audemars Piguet x Tamara Ralph
Taking advantage of the Couture Week in Paris at the end of January, Audemars Piguet unveiled a new collaboration with Tamara Ralph, Australian fashion designer, former Creative Director and co-founder of Ralph & Russo. Together, they created the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon, taking inspiration from the the intricate elements present in Tamara Ralph’s Couture designs. The multi-tiered dial showcases a blend of brown, bronze, and gold hues, all complemented by a seamless sunburst satin texture. The Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon limited edition of 102 pieces, features an 18-carat pink gold case glittering with Frosted Gold.
Did u know? The partnership between the designer and the Swiss brand started in 2020 pairing several watches to her Spring/Summer 2021 Prêt-à-Porter collection on the runway.
– “Tamara’s endless quest for perfection perfectly echoes our watchmakers’ dedication to pushing their craft to the limit. We are delighted to start 2024 in collaboration with such an inspiring woman and it is only the beginning!” explains Ilaria Resta – Chief Executive Officer of Audemars Piguet.
2. REPOSSI CELEBRATES A DECADE OF AVANT-GARDISM
“Serti sur Vide” blows its 10th candle !
Launched in 2014 by Maison Repossi, the Serti sur Vide collection features pear-shaped center stones that appear to be suspended on sleek and modern designs. It has grown to become Repossi’s signature. Created as a singular and avant-garde solitaire, the design of Serti sur Vide emerged from a challenge presented by Alberto Repossi to his daughter Gaia. Upon holding a stone between her fingers, Gaia chose to immortalize the iconic gesture of a gemologist, thereby redefining the classic solitaire and giving rise to Serti sur Vide.
The unique architecture of this collection extends beyond rings, as Repossi ventures into different realms of jewelry, introducing avant-garde pieces like ethereal ear cuffs—a contemporary reinterpretation of the classic chandelier earring. Repossi unveiled a collection of 11 pieces at Paris Fashion Week, seamlessly combining technical precision and flexibility. The second chapter of the collection is set to be released during the next Parisian Couture week in June 2024.
3. VACHERON CONSTANTIN MOVES TO LA RESERVE !
Visiting Zurich, you’ve got 1 month to visit Suite N°1755
Vacheron Constantin will be completely renovating its Zurich boutique on Bahnhofstrasse, from February to March. Meanwhile, clients will be welcomed by appointment in a dedicated Suite inside La Réserve Eden du Lac hotel specially redecorated for the occasion. Suite 1755, was created to provide a bespoke experience for collectors and passionate watch enthusiasts, as they discover the Maison’s collections in a warm, artistic setting, conducive to a series of events and exhibitions.
4. YVONNE LEON’S CREATIVITY NEVER STOPS !
Are tangled necklaces the new trend ?
It’s the story of her life: Éléonor has been struggling with all her necklaces being fully tangled all the times, which usually keeps her busy in airplanes trying to untangle them… Discovering what Yvonne Leon just launched, makes us wonder if tangled jewels were the new trend ? The Parisian-based designer Yvonne Léon has always had a vivid imagination when it comes to imagining jewelry. This month, she launched a very interesting tangled necklace with an Emerald oval cut mixed on yellow and white gold. So stop worrying about untangling it and let it live around your neck!
5. ALL EYES ON ZENDAYA
Fendi Haute Couture front row
During the last Couture show in Paris, a host of stars took place in the capital, to attend the world’s most beautiful show – at the Fendi show, Place de la Bourse, the crowd shouted only one name, “Zendaya”. The American actress and ambassador for Bulgari chose a Fendi dress and Bulgari jewelry. Her necklace in particular caught our attention: Christened Diamond Magic, this high jewelry piece mounted in platinum is set with a 5.07-carat pear-cut diamond, 16 marquise-cut diamonds and almost 20 carats of brilliant-cut diamonds. As part of the Eden, The Garden of Wonders (2022) collection. She wore a matching diamond ring and pair of earrings from ” “Le Magnifiche” collection.
6. CAN BRANDS PROVE THEY AREN’T USING RUSSIAN DIAMONDS ?
Here is a very insterresting article from #BOF
“Tracking the origin of a gem back to the mine is a notoriously difficult challenge but new sanctions on Russian diamonds are set to radically transform the jewellery industry, requiring “mine-to-finger” traceability in key markets.” Read the full article now !
7. MEDALS, BUTTONS, EMBRODERIES: A NEW APPROACH TO THE CEREMONIAL ORNAMENTS
Creative Director Claire Choisne takes a new approach of rock crystal & diamonds
Last week in Paris during Couture Week, Maison Boucheron presents “Power of Couture”, a high jewelry collection of 24 pieces that gave Carte Blanche to Claire Choisne, the Creative Director at Maison Boucheron. She decided to exploresthe couture legacy of Frédéric Boucheron by drawing inspiration from ceremonial clothing. She reimagines the traditional concept of ceremonial embellishments, transforming them with a clever use of rock crystal and diamonds.“I decided to deconstruct the symbols of power to reappropriate them,” she said.
As opposed to the elaborate details commonly found in this genre, The Power of Couture opts for a uniformity of materials – rock crystal and diamonds – creating a monochrome theme. This approach not only tones down the traditionally ornate character of gold-tone decorations but also imparts a visually lighter quality to the creations. “The difficulty in crafting this collection was to bring the characteristics of fabric to rigid gold and stone,” continues Claire Choisne. It took between 700 hours and1900 which means between 3 and 11 months to create each piece. Once again, Boucheron has demonstrated its savoir-faire in achieving the extraordinary by combining the toughness of cold, hard rock crystal with the delicate softness of knitted wool.
Listen the “True Stories” Podcast and know more about all the secrets of this new High jewelry collection.
8. PUT A RING-A-TONI ON IT !
The coolest collaboration Alison Lou x Barilla US
The Italian Pasta brand Barilla has reintroduced its heart-shaped pasta: the Barilla Love, in celebration of Valentine’s Day. This special offering is now available in stores and Nordstrom Restaurant Group locations nationwide. In a unique twist, Barilla has launched “The Pasta Promise,” encouraging a lifelong commitment to sharing pasta with loved ones. As part of the promotion, pasta enthusiasts had the opportunity during Valentine’s Day to win a set of interlocking diamond and ruby rings named “Ring-a-toni,” inspired by Barilla Love and crafted by New-York based jewelry brand Alison Lou.
“Like jewelry, pasta is an art form that takes love and time to create,” said Alison Chemla, founder and creative director of Alison Lou. “As a lifelong pasta lover, I was inspired by the shape of the Barilla Love pasta – its smooth interior and ridged exterior.
To view recipes for the heart-shaped pasta, visit the Barilla website.
9. BREITLING X VICTORIA BECKHAM
The fashionable new collab
Breitling revealed a new line of timepieces co-crafted alongside Victoria Beckham : the Chronomat Automatic 36mm collection limited to 1,500 pieces.
The collection is a fusion of the fashion icon’s signature style and refined new color palettes inspired by Beckham’s Spring/ Summer 2024 collection, featuring shades like peppermint, midnight blue, dove gray, and sand. Take a closer look at the Breitling logo on the dial and Victoria Beckham’s initials on the seconds hand!
You can choose between stainless steel or yellow gold cases, the latter being a material uniquely revived by Breitling for this line. The dials are marked with limitations, reading “One of 400” for stainless-steel pieces and “One of 100” for the gold variations. Keep an eye out for the discreet VB logo and inscription on the bracelet for an added touch of sophistication.
10. PRECIOUS CRAFTSMANSHIP AT ITS BEST
Bulgari plays with fragments of malachite
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Lucea watch’s, Bulgari launched a new model during the Miami LVMH Watch Week. The dial of Lucea is adorned with green malachite marquetry, reflecting the 1960s’ fascination for colored stones. This dial is crafted from small mineral fragments – we call it “the art of up cycling”. Artisans at the Bulgari Manufacture in Switzerland meticulously select each fragment for its vibrant hue and expressive grain. With precise cutting and hand-assembly, every piece plays a part in creating a special masterpiece, ensuring each Lucea watch is a one-of-a-kind creation. A genuine work of art.
