Last spring, Whitewall had the rare opportunity to view a special presentation of several haute joaillerie collections from Louis Vuitton. Sparkling against the skyline of New York City, staged within the MoMA Tower, pieces from “Riders of the Knights,” “Pure V,” and “Stellar Times” were on display, many for the first time together.
Dreamed up by Francesca Amfitheatrof, artistic director of jewellery for Louis Vuitton, the necklaces, rings, earrings, and brooches on view showcased her eye for movement, color, and form.
Yellow Sapphire Ring in white gold, 1 octagonal cut yellow sapphire for 10.01 carat, 26 baguette cut diamonds for 3.15 carat, 30 brilliant cut yellow sapphire for 1.42 carat and 64 brilliant cut diamonds for 0.91 carat, Riders of the Knights collection, Louis Vuitton, photo by Steve Benisty.
“Riders of the Knights,” inspired by medieval heroines, captures a spirit of independence, fierceness, and freedom. Referencing suits of armor, swords, crests, and fortresses, the vibrant sapphires and emeralds play with light and shape. The luminous collection embodies a feeling of bravery and protection.
The “Pure V” collection looked to a more graphic inspiration, specifically in the initials of the jewelry house. “For this high jewellery collection, I wanted to express the essence of the V,” said Amfitheatrof. “I wanted to update it, make it more contemporary. A great source of inspiration was the minimalist Art Deco–inspired V signature that Gaston-Louis Vuitton placed on his luggage in the 1920s–1930s.” Mastering the balance and pattern of white diamonds and black onyx, this collection is radiantly contemporary.
Armure Ring in white gold, 1 oval cut diamond for 3.61 carat, 32 baguette cut diamonds for 2.36 carat and 64 brilliant cut diamonds for 0.81 carat, Riders of the Knights collection, Louis Vuitton; Armure bracelet in white gold, 108 baguette-cut diamonds for 8.25 carat and 224 diamonds for 11.28 carat, Riders of the Knights collection, Louis Vuitton, photo by Steve Benisty.
Amfitheatrof created a celestial journey with “Stellar Times,” traveling through seven series sculpted with diamonds, brilliant colored stones, white gold, and platinum. “This theme is inspiring because of the artistic value in stones embodying planets, but I am also fascinated by the immensity of the cosmos, by journeying through space and by this feeling of wonder at all the beauty of the universe,” said Amfitheatrof. “Some of the best astronauts are now women. And very soon we will be able to travel to Mars. The brand reflects these incredible advances, and has always been a daring pioneer in travel and adventure.”
From medieval trailblazers to interstellar space travelers, Louis Vuitton’s latest high jewelry collections shine with personality and possibility.
Apogée pendant in white gold, 1 cushion-cut purple tanzanite of 28.55 carats, 20 tourmalines for 5.65 carat, 12 tanzanites for 8.13 carat, 8 aquamarines for 5 carat, 10 triangular-cut diamonds for 0.59 carat and 297 diamonds for 16.22 carat, Stellar Times Collection, Louis Vuitton, photo by Steve Benisty.
Ring in white gold, 1 triangular-cut diamond for 0.14 carat, 30 baguette-cut diamonds for 1.01 carat, 21 diamonds for 1.53 carat and 2 onyx for 1.90 carat, Pure V collection, Louis Vuitton, photo by Steve Benisty.
Les Armoiries Brooch in yellow gold and white gold and pink gold, 1 pear shaped fancy intense yellow diamond for 1.38 carat, 110 brilliant cut yellow diamonds for 1.38 carat and 41 brilliant cut diamonds for 0.69 carat, Riders of the Knights collection, Louis Vuitton, photo by Steve Benisty.
