High Jewelry

In the world of Lydia Courteille

©Lydia Courteille Extravagant creations, diverse repertoire, mix of materials, cultural journey, jewelry signed Lydia Courteille doesn’t leave anyone indifferent. This antique jewelry enthusiast began creating jewelry in 1997, and has been impressing ever since with unique and out-of-the-ordinary creations. His boutique, like a precious jewel box, is located at 231 rue Saint Honoré and stands like a gateway to a wonderful and enchantingworld in which creation has no limits.. Behind these impressive pieces Lydia Courteille gives free rein to her imagination punctuated by her travels and discoveries. A hair provocative, sometimes exuberantbut above all original, we invite you to discover some of the jewelry of a colorful designer. ©Lydia Courteille Lydia Courteille began her career working for a jewelry dealer thanks to her training in Gemmology. However, she soon took off and opened her first boutique in 1987, in which she selected and sold antique and vintage jewelry, notably pieces by Suzanne Belperron, whom she collected before her time and for whom she had a certain admiration. In 1997, Lydia embarked on her creative career and presented her first collection in Paris. Since then, nearly 50 collections have emerged from her imagination. Her style is unmistakable, Lydia Courteille is known for her overflowing imagination and taste for the unusual. She draws her inspiration from art history, nature, popular culture and architecture; ©Lydia Courteille She is also fascinated by mythsand symbols, and often incorporates these elements into her designs. She also draws on her extensive experience with antique jewelry, reinterpreting cameos or even 18th and 19th century finery, for example, elements found in the “Scarlett Empress“. collection. His travels also inspire him a great deal, in the image of Ethiopia and its traditions, which give rise to the “Reine de Saba” collection and to this cuff bracelet featuring the Ethiopian lion symbol found on the country’s flag. In nearly 30 years of creation Lydia Courteille never ceases to renew her collections, always finding a subject to interpret drawn from her experiences or discoveries. Unusual and incomparable pieces by an artist of inexhaustible creativity, with a style that has undoubtedly become a veritable … signature. À voir : L’interview de Lydia Courteille

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Serpenti Collection by Bulgari

Events, High Jewelry, Jewelry History / collectissim

©Bulgari 75 years of the Italian snake A true icon of the Bulgari House, the multi-faceted snake is celebrating its 75th anniversary. A symbol of wisdom, eternity and vitality it is a recurring subject in Jewelry, particularly at Bulgari. Presented as a powerful talisman, the Italian Serpenti has taken many forms over the years. The Roman House was the first to adapt it as a watch in the 1940s. To celebrate this anniversary, an exhibition totally dedicated to this motif was held at the Saatchi Gallery in London in collaboration with artist Refik Anadol, taking visitors on an immersive journey through multimedia works, Maison archives and exclusive pieces from the 1940s to the present day. Previous slide Next slide Founded in 1884 in Rome by Sotirio Bulgari, a goldsmith of Greek origin, the House of Bulgari has established itself over the years as an emblem of Italian excellence and Haute Joaillerie through numerous creations born of incomparable expertise, like the Serpenti collection. Emblem of seduction and rebirth, the snake symbol has been linked to human history for centuries. In the 1940s, the House of Bulgari, charmed by this bewitching power, transposed the powerful symbol into jewelry. The first supple bracelets were created to fit the shape of the wrist, made from tubogas rings or gold mesh. The elegance of this precious snake, finally erect, was an immediate success in a post-war world, with ever more sought-after versions. ©Bulgari It wasn’t until the end of the 50s that totally realistic, extremely precise bracelets appeared. The body of the snake is made up of hand-worked links fixed together independently, with a gold spring running through them to guarantee the jewel’s flexibility. The result is pieces offering multiple combinations of colors and materials, the scales adorned with enamel and diamonds. Today, these are highly sought-after pieces, like a 1965 bracelet sold by Christie’s in 2014 for over a million dollars. Today Bulgari offers a Serpenti collection of rings and bracelets at relatively more affordable prices, while still offering Haute Joaillerie creations. ©Bulgari Collection Bulgari Serpenti sur le site officiel Bulgari

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Feminine Figures by Van Cleef & Arpels

High Jewelry / collectissim

©Van Cleef & Arpels The enchanted world of Van Cleef & Arpels brings to life ballerinas and fairies adorned with precious stones. With graceful gestures, they invite us to join in the dance. The story of the female figures begins in 1941 with Louis Arpels, who nurtures an authentic passion for dance, shared for several years with his nephew Claude. Under his impetus, the House gave shape to a multitude of ballerinas, inspired by mythical personalities such as the 18th-century dancer Camargo, or the famous Russian star Anna Pavlova. The slender silhouettes, captured in an infinite number of poses, are adorned with gemstone costumes and headdresses, while a rose-cut diamond represents their faces. Pierre Arpels (à gauche) vers 1976 ©Van Cleef & Arpels In 1941, Van Cleef & Arpels gave birth to another icon: the fairy. Delicate and charming, they embody the enchanting universe of the Maison. Their pink diamond faces and translucent wings evoke grace and hope, as straight out of a fairy tale. Whether in full flight, with their magic wands, or in graceful poses, these creatures captivate with their beauty and accompany Van Cleef & Arpels with benevolence. Van Cleef & Arpels dancers and twirling fairies perpetuate the celebration of femininity. These emblematic Van Cleef & Arpels clips reveal the movement and splendor of precious stones. ©Van Cleef & Arpels

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Like a “Colored” Queen by Boucheron

High Jewelry / collectissim

Elizabeth II and the two Boucheron clips ©Getty Images The “Like a Queen” collection appears as a tribute to the play of colors offered by Queen Elizabeth II’s original and emblematic outfits. In 1944, Princess Elizabeth received a double-clip aquamarine and diamond brooch by Boucheron for her eighteenth birthday. She would wear this sentimental piece of jewelry throughout her reign. In 2020, Claire Choisne, Director of Creations at Maison Boucheron, decided to reinterpret this unique piece to create a Haute Joaillerie collection in which the famous Art Deco motif is declined through eighteen contemporary creations. “Like a Queen”, is inspired by this style icon that marked two centuries. It was in 1937 that this jewel entered the British royal family, through the Duke of Kent, who acquired it from the Boucheron boutique in London. Seven years later, it was presented to Princess Elizabeth for her eighteenth birthday. During her reign, Her Majesty wore it on many occasions. Inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s unique style, Claire Choisne set out to capture the essence of royal jewelry and bring it into the present in a collection that transcends gender. “Multi-wearing and color were at the heart of our work on this collection, so that the pieces could be worn by both men and women. These eighteen declinations had to be true to the Queen’s easy-to-wear model, with the two clips on the brooch able to be put on alone or together, pinned in different ways. We also wanted this collection to convey the elegance characteristic of this Art Deco jewel.” Each piece in this Histoire de Style reflects the singular spirit of the two cerulean clips. “On some sets, we’ve destructured the original geometry of the design, on others on the contrary, we’ve compacted the Art Deco motif, elsewhere, we’ve breathed another dimension into it by playing with the colors of the stones”. Lemon Slice ©Boucheron Hypnotic Blue ©Boucheron Cherry ruby necklace, pink tourmaline brooch, azure aquamarine cuff, moss emerald earrings… Like a Queen stands out for its monochromes of intense, joyful colors whose vivacity is inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s gaudy toiletries. With Lemon Slice, for example, the 1937 model is transformed into a sophisticated, compact piece of jewelry convertible into a brooch or barrette, and thanks to its colorful leather bands it can be worn as a choker or bracelet. The Hypnotic Blue bracelet takes up the original 1937 design. The bracelet is in lacquered gold and set with cabochon and baguette-cut diamonds and aquamarines. Only the use of blue lacquer highlighting the stones really sets it apart, giving it a more contemporary look. You may also be interested in this article: The jewels of Queen Elizabeth II

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COLLECTISSIM

COLLECTISSIM

In the world of Lydia Courteille

Serpenti Collection by Bulgari

Feminine Figures by Van Cleef & Arpels

Like a “Colored” Queen by Boucheron

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