28 January, 2014

Cartier: Style and History at the Grand Palais

1 Cartier-Style-and-history

Jewelled cigarette cases, necessaires, cigarette cases, necessaires… Cartier could quite easily have staged its Cartier: Style and History exhibition at Paris’s Grand Palais around these stunning, opulent objects alone. A historic display of around 600 pieces, most from the Cartier archive, it comprises grand tiaras from the world’s royalty (both regal and Hollywood), epic jewels, and magical timepieces, alongside original sketches, plaster moulds, photos and ledgers. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 1 Comment Brands, Design, Designers, Events, Trends accessories, Cartier, design, Duchess of Cambridge, Elizabeth Taylor, exhibitions, Grace Kelly, Jeanne Toussaint, jewellery

21 January, 2014

Haute joaillerie, Hermes at Harrods and a little Dior whimsy

Hermes-GALOP-bracelet

This week is all about couture but did you know that alongside the gowns, there’s also the haute joaillerie to be wowed by? Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Boucheron, Chanel and the rest all showcase their top-tier diamonds, pearls and rubies; quite frankly, the frocks are small fry compared to this finery. (more…)

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5 December, 2013

Cartier: style, history and Jeanne Toussaint

Jeanne-Toussaint-cartier-style-and-history-exhibition

Get me to Paris and fast! Forget the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, the only luxury trinkets I want to see this month are safely ensconced in the Grand Palais for the just-opened Cartier. Style and History exhibition.

Amongst the 600-odd pieces of jewellery and 300 contextual objects (paintings, dresses, archive documents – oh my!) on display at this exhibition, there’s a focus on Jeanne Toussaint. Cartier’s head of accessories and later director of jewellery, her bold and clever work has been frequently referenced by modern jewellers.

This 1944 singing uncaged bird brooch represents the liberation of France:
Cartier-brooch-1944-Jeanne-Toussaint-Cartier-Style-and-History-Grand-Palais