SPARKLING ODE TO ARTISTRY

A look at the recent high jewellery collections by five luxury labels.

- RICHA GOYAL SIKRI

The perpetual desire to seek the best in class is the result of a complex interplay of evolutionary imperatives, social dynamics, psychological needs, and cultural influences. In the world of luxury, high jewellery stands as the ultimate expression of opulence, artistry, and exclusivity. It is where the boundaries of creativity are pushed, transforming humble, precious and extremely rare materials into breathtaking works of wearable art. At the centre of each high jewellery creation is the design, often inspired by natural elements, cultural influences, or a reflection of contemporary themes, which may be derived from science, technology, art, or a designer's vivid imagination. Let's delve into a selection of recent high jewellery collections to uncover the profound artistry embedded in these exquisite masterpieces.

Louis Vuitton's latest high jewellery collection-titled Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds-transports us to an epochal time, when savoir-faire became France's legacy, and innovation its enlightenment. "France in the 19th Century was a phenomenal time of incredible change," says Francesca Amfitheatrof, the House's Artistic Director for Watches and Jewelry, who conceptualised the collection. This is Amfitheatrof's sixth and largest high jewellery collection for the Maison. It includes 220 unique masterpiece jewels, and culminates with the Coeur de Paris necklace-a homage to the historic moment in 1889 when a Parisian marvel, which later became a beacon of modernity, was unveiled to the world: the Eiffel Tower.