Nature meets Couture in a celebratory symphony of gemstones.
Atypical geometry defines Gem Dior, the latest creation of Victoire de Castellane who has led Dior Joallerie to great heights for more than two decades. Known for working gemstones into her designs in remarkable ways, de Castellane plays with the beauty of asymmetry, deliberately misaligned links, and open cuffs.
“The spirit of this collection is modern, it’s a style that I would describe as abstract-organic, an organized disruption that turned out to be a true technical challenge for our ateliers.”
Victoire de Castellane, Artistic Director of Dior Joaillerie
The “Gem” in Gem Dior is a euphonious nod to “J’aime”, which means “I love” in French, and it’s hard not to love this original collection comprising seven watches and eleven pieces of jewellery.
The collection’s emblematic piece is a timepiece in 18K yellow gold, with an asymmetrical octagonal case with turquoise and diamonds set in its cut-out sides, around a striking malachite dial. Like the natural formation of minerals, the unique watch case takes on an organic shape.
It is as much a piece of jewellery that tells time, as it is a jewelled timepiece. Designed to be worn as an open cuff, the watch bracelet is a brightly coloured union of irregularly-cut ornamental gems such as malachite, lapis lazuli, carnelian, pink opal and tiger’s eye – inspired by Monsieur Dior’s fabric swatches pinned on paper in his haute couture shows.
There is strength in the elegance of the design, which Cara Delevingne, the face of Dior Joallerie, carries to perfection. Available in six other variations including a monochrome version in steel and black mother-of-pearl, and another in pretty pink gold with full diamond pavé, each presented with an interchangeable black leather strap, the Gem Dior timepieces are a new signature.
The design philosophy is carried through to the jewellery in the collection worn by long-time Dior ambassador Suzy Bae. Exquisite rings, bangles and earrings in refined yellow, pink and white gold, fully or semi-paved with diamonds, exude a strong singularity.
Finally, shining in prominence in the jewellery line-up is a statement cuff bracelet with asymmetrical, angular gemstones alternating with pavé diamonds, set side by side like mineral strata in yellow gold.
Check out the structurally stunning Gem Dior collection at a boutique near you.
Images courtesy of respective Dior, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
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