It is not all about fashion in Paris, at least not anymore. Every season, we see more and more luxury brands from all around the world moving temporarily their headquarters to Paris to introduce their latest collections to a global audience during the most attended calendar event of the year. Jewellery, as a crucial player in the fashion industry today is one of the most relevant categories that are gaining relevance during fashion week.
In this context, London based 360-degree consultancy agency The House of Luxury took over the French capital to launch the new collections of a stunning selection of fine jewelley and watch brands during the latest edition of PFW. The Showroom was created in collaboration with acclaimed sister company The House of Fine Art (HOFA Gallery) who is currently representing some of the most exciting contemporary artist in the global art scene. For this initiative, HOFA showcased the artworks of highly appraised contemporary female artists in an exhibition titled ‘Women in the Arts’ to introduce a unique selection of artworks which address the past, present, and future of femininity, in tribute to the artistry, craftsmanship and innovation in design that unite the worlds of contemporary fine arts and contemporary haute joaillerie design.
The showcase included works from female artists; Ilhwa Kim, Romina Ressia, Camille Hannah, Loribelle Spirovski, Wang Ziling and Emmanuelle Rybojad. Alongside, The House of Luxury brands, including, Yeprem’s new statement hand and ear pieces, Tabbah’s avant-garde new looks featuring reptiles and Talisman charms, with other leading jewellery brands such as Aisha Baker, Gismondi, Alessa Jewellery, Colette, Sarah Zhuang, MAYA and Avantist.
GISMONDI
Gismondi is the story of seven generations with one same passion. Founded in 1754, the Italian fine jewellery brand has been handcrafting exquisite designs for more than 250 years. The family business is currently run by seventh generation Massimo Gismondi, CEO and Creative Director of the brand who started learning the tricks of the trade at a tender age. He was destined by birth to become the heir and keeper of the invaluable family treasure – a century-old craftsmanship tradition which had been proudly passed down from father to son for six generations. With their headquarters in Portofino and an atelier and production facility in Valenza, Italy, the historical jewellery house continues leading the industry with contemporary and ultraglamorous designs featuring exceptional stones to create one of a kind pieces that will be passed on for generations.
AVANTIST
Avantist is a new Swiss- made luxury watch company, born as a collaboration between leading independent Swiss watch design houses and pioneering inspirational achievers. Avantist watches are a tribute to the legacies of phenomenal men and women, from sporting champions and movie idols, to world leaders and business icons – the greatest achievers of our generation. The brand has just launched The Arm Edition Tourbillon, a exclusive limited edition collection of nine pieces only inspired by brand Ambassador Kiradech Aphibarnrat, first ever professional Thai golfer to play in the PGW Tour and currently ranked 42nd in the world. The exceptional timepiece is part of La Majeste Tourbillon series and was designed by award-winning Sebastien Perret of Etude de Style, current Creative Director at Audemars Piguet and designer of 5 GPHG winning watches. The watches feature a skeletonized tourbillon movement co-developed with Concepto, set on a transparent sapphire crystal plate that gives the illusion of floating mid-air inside the watch.
SARAH ZHUANG
Sarah Zhuang Jewellery embodies womanhood as each collection personifies a unique trait of contemporary women. The brand’s transformable jewellery pieces combine elegance and functionality to suit modern women’s fast-changing lifestyles. Every creation is sealed in 18 karat gold and precious gemstones, and each piece is designed to be worn in multiple styles, empowering women to express their unique personalities and to shine in every occasion. Their latest collection, Fantasy Garden was designed for the adventurous woman who loves the thrill of a new experience and the feeling of freedom. This new range features delicate insects in necklaces, rings or earrings that can be worn on its own or embellished with a decorative piece to create different looks.
TABBAH
Founded in 1862 as a symbol of quality and sophistication, and known for its breath-taking high jewellery pieces, Tabbah is one of the oldest family owned jewellery house in the world. While preserving its traditional, classical inspiration, the brand adds a twist of innovative modernity with each generation. Tabbah is currently writing a new story with bold ‘New Looks’ that are strikingly different, contemporary, authentic and crafted to absolute perfection. The brand has seen many successful moments during 2019 announcing their presence at recently renovated The Vault in Saks New York as their exclusive point of sale in Manhattan and the launched of their pop-up shop at Harrods with The House of Luxury that opened during the month of October.
AISHA BAKER
In 2017, luxury jewellery purveyor Aisha Baker teamed up with celebrated designer Hoonik Chang to turn fantasy into reality, with her limited edition ‘Mirror Mirror’ collection. Designed to evoke memories of childhood fairy tales to create ‘wearable art’ for the modern, 21st century woman. Earlier this year Aisha Baker launched its brand new ‘Prism’ collection and counts Ellie Goulding as one of its biggest fans. The new chapter to their fairy tale is Talkin’ Talk, a collection featuring six new statement pieces inspired by the power of words. The distinctive materials, eccentric design and high-spec manufacturing allows them to create only a limited number of pieces per collection, which makes each one even more special, as there will never be a second of the same.
MAYA
Reflecting on centuries of precious stones and jewellery history, Olga Pekarevskaia founded MAYA in 2018 after being drawn to triangular cuts of diamonds. Named after Olga’s eldest daughter, the brand innovated its own signature triangular cut that offers a unique blend of colour and shine, matching or even surpassing more traditional cuts. The latest addition to their geometrical pieces is the Out of Office collection officially launched during PFW and inspired by people who educate themselves throughout their whole lives. The collection features stackable earrings and bracelets inspired by everyday office gadgets, including paperclips, pencils and rulers to signify the fact that we never stop learning.
YEPREM
Founded in Beirut in 1964, YEPREM is one of the most acclaimed brands in the jewellery industry with a big celebrity following. Confident, yet audacious, YEPREM relies on luxurious creations revealing every curve of the body as a work of art; identifying with women who dare to be distinctive. YEPREM’s striking designs have been worn by Rihanna, Beyoncé, Madonna, Cate Blanchet, Sofia Vergara, Iggy Azalea, Cardi B and Naomi Watts to name a few. The brand has introduced two new collections this year, Electrified and Black Strada, both introduced to press during PFW and featuring mixed metals and white and black diamonds to create a striking look.
ALESSA
Alessa is gaining international recognition for their unisex Spectrum and Elixir bracelets, which have been designed to be collected and stacked together. Born as a partnership between GIA graduates Alessandra Robles and Yuvraj Pahuja, Alessa reflects the duo’s Latin American and Indian heritage. Alessandra’s Guatemalan origins and Yuvraj’s family vast experience within the jewellery industry based in Dubai, creates the perfect balance to offer unique designs rooted in the collision of their two distinct philosophies; empowering unity in its success. Alessa’s eclectic yet unmistakable collections, are meticulously designed and hand-crafted with the finest materials offering a lifetime guarantee. The imagination and heart combined with this impeccable quality that every Alessa piece ensues, has created an incredible loyalty with clients, which has been recognized by the most prestigious stores globally.
COLETTE
Whether exploring a new destination, or travelling back to her roots in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Colette Steckel is always dreaming up new ways for the modern woman to wear fine jewellery. Her fresh perspective is driven by an innate desire to excite today’s woman with wearable works of art for any occasion. Since launching her namesake collection in 1995, Colette has been pushing the boundaries of fine jewellery resulting in a collection that is timeless with a contemporary fashion edge. Every design is infused with a sense of wanderlust influenced by the synergy of Colette’s French-Mexican background and extensive world travels. A multi-talented businesswoman, Colette, a certified graphic designer and GIA trained Gemmologist, has her own retail store and showroom in Los Angeles, as well as a flagship boutique at the prestigious Park Plaza in Mexico City.
NOUDAR
The brand name Noudar derives from the ancient Arabic word for gold. Noor Al Fardan, founder and designer of Noudar Jewels, combines influences from the timeless treasures of Arabian civilisation with a modernist take on luxury jewellery. The designer’s fascination with watches and horological mechanisms has strongly influenced Noudar’s jewellery, emphasising the importance of craftsmanship to improve comfort, movement and flexibility in her creations. Her collection takes inspiration from the noble heritage of Arabic and Islamic culture. Omani patterns, reminiscent of mosaics and Henna designs, are aesthetically present throughout this daring, yet romantic jewellery for the modern woman.