Enormously proportioned, festooned with rare sparklers in brilliant colours and comes with a price tag so hefty it makes Mr. Monopoly do a double take. Haute joaillerie is a beast of its own—this much we know is true. But the intricacies of jewellery-making here go well beyond those facile qualities, imperative as they are, distinguishing it from its fine counterpart.
Avant-garde, labourious craftsmanship akin to this corner of the luxury sector has given rise to a legion of unique showpieces. Some are conceived in the same vein as the classics, others push the envelope to the brink of tearing. Its most audacious endeavour? Devising modular designs capable of exciting metamorphoses—the ones that we lovingly refer to as transformable pieces.
It all began when jewellers took the age-old concept of parure and put it under the knife, experimenting with new techniques to integrate the items in a typical set into one grand masterpiece. It’s a Lucullian two-for-one deal, if you will, for humanity’s cream of the crop and one of the most attractive packages in the market was Van Cleef & Arpels’ Zip necklace.
Adopting the silhouette of the mundane zip fastener— suggested by the Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson, a dear friend of the brand, after it started appearing on garments at the time—the necklace that had been nearly two decades in the making came to fruition in 1950. It featured two gold ribbons bordered with tiny hooks that fit into one another and doubled as a bracelet upon closing.
Denne historien er fra September 2022-utgaven av L'OFFICIEL Malaysia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 2022-utgaven av L'OFFICIEL Malaysia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Feast for the SENSES
A Hilton Singapore Orchard staycation that translates into a culinary escape and more in the heart of Orchard Road.
LUXURY livin
Exploring the opulence and grandeur of Rosewood Phnom Penh and Vattanac Golf Resort.
From SCREEN to PLATE
Journey through iconic dishes made famous by pop culture.
Memories of FASHION
Archives represent today more than ever an important asset for fashion houses. A source of inspiration to design one's own future, but also the winning card of a legacy that fascinates new generations. In search of history and culture, but also of a pre-digital past.
Can't STOP, Won't STOP
It's been 10 years since Nanon Korapat made his official acting debut, but to the Thai star, he's only at the beginning of his journey.
HOT to Go
I finally tried the Thermage FLX - what's the hype all about?
The Pro-Collagen Future Restore Serum by ELEMIS
Elemis completes its marine and plant-based Pro-Collagen range with another time-defying formula.
COSPLAY Crossover
Sarawak-born cosplayer Hakken brings a new dimension to Rado's iconic and design-driven Anatom, Captain Cook and Diastar families, blending horological heritage with the art of costume creation.
GRAND Entrance
Ernest Borel's new Grandeur collection delivers modern artistry with sporty appeal.
BLUE Crush
TUDOR jazzes up the neo-vintage Black Bay Chrono with an exclusive boutique edition in the never-before-seen TUDOR Blue.