World-renowned French jeweller Cartier unveiled in Asia its latest fine jewellery collection called "Paris Nouvelle Vague", at W Hotel Seoul last week. The collection is inspired by the French capital, the jeweller and the Parisian woman _ capturing the varying facets of the French city at different times of day and pairing them with traits of the modern-day Parisian women.
Voluptuous cuff and ring.
The collection captures seven moods _ each centred in a different iconic quarter of the city _ and interprets them into seven jewellery looks namely the Mischievous, the Voluptuous, the Impish, the Emancipated, the Sparkling, the Delicate and the Glamorous. All are creative jewellery pieces and cocktail rings which perfectly encapsulate the mood and spirit of the women who wear them.
To showcase this new collection, Cartier took guests and international media on a stroll through Paris, with the screening of Paris Je T'Aime _ a love story in motion, between the lady and the jeweller, spanning day and night, from one neighbourhood to the next. A unique "Paris Upside Down" exhibition was also organised to showcase all the glittering pieces from the seven lines.
The Mischievous mood features eye-catching, playful pieces inspired by the the famous Tuileries Garden with its iconic fairground carousel. This line features ring, bracelet, necklace and hoop earrings in yellow gold decked with a cluster of colourful gemstones _ blue and green, balloon-like shapes of lapis lazuli cabochons and chrysoprase, electrified by diamonds.
Voluptuous cuff.
Inspired by the environs of the Opera house with its exquisite architecture, the feminine, baroque-themed Voluptuous line highlights pearl and diamonds in artistic yet delicate interlacing patterns. Outstanding pieces are the elegant pink and white gold cuff bracelets with matching earrings in swirling arabesques, and cupola rings in white gold topped with a pearl or a diamond.
Inspired by the Luxembourg Gardens in the afternoon, the delightful Impish line features jewels in motion _ the floral-shaped ring in white or pink gold with the segments of onyx, diamond and lapis lazuli. The long, matching avant garde-style chain dotted with smaller flowers sparks a life full of colour to this jewellery set.
The Emancipated line is inspired by Palais de Tokyo's steps in the Trocadero environs. This is a place for art and reflection where Parisian ladies, boyish and girly, hone their wit and sharpen their thought. This range offers graphic-style pieces with straight and exact geometrical lines _ a rigid ring or bracelet, yellow-gold bangles rimmed by the geometry of head-to-head motifs in gradation of colours using smoked quartz, haematites, amethysts and calibrated diamonds.
Moulin Rouge at midnight inspired the Sparkling line. The dance and merry mood are reinterpreted into festive, dazzling jewellery pieces. Among them are the stylish yellow and pink gold rings, with matching earrings, flounced with gold bead frills studded with diamonds and pink sapphires.
The Delicate range explores the classic elegance of French women as they stroll down a Paris street in the morning. The beautiful and authentic Delicate pieces include two flat rings that form one _ a twist of grey gold and pink gold, half with diamonds, half bare. They come with matching necklaces in white or pink gold.
The Glamorous mood spotted the Parisian lady stepping on the Seine quaysides. Here, Paris sails at her feet, rolling lightly over its stones. For this sensual lady, Cartier has come up with jewels with signature allure to fit her personality _ pieces that truly translate her femininity, sophistication, freedom and modernity. Outstanding pieces are a range of rings in unfolding petal shapes, curled like lashes fringed with black lacquer and diamonds.
The "Paris Nouvelle Vague" collection can be viewed at Cartier boutique, M floor of Siam Paragon shopping centre (tel 02-610-9945). Price starts from 88,000 baht.
Impish ring.
