Adding romantic allusion to carats, the design of Toi et Moi (French for you and me) jewellery imagines two souls aligning, as symbolised by a pair of stones set as a corresponding duo.
Toi et Moi gems have linked some of history's greatest couples, including Napoleon Bonaparte who in 1796 proposed to Joséphine de Beauharnais with a gold ring featuring a sparkling pear-cut diamond and a matching sapphire. Some years before his Camelot presidency, John F Kennedy presented Jackie with a Toi et Moi emerald and diamond ring following their 1953 nuptials. Victoire de Castellane has been working with maison Dior since 1998; after more than two decades, de Castellane has put a ring on it with her latest high jewellery collection Dior et Moi.
At her Paris atelier, Dior Joaillerie’s artistic director has interpreted the concept of Toi et Moi jewellery as an an invitation to let creativity roam freely, resulting in unexpected combinations that surprise and delight. In 39 new creations – choose from necklaces, earrings, bangles and between-finger rings – the ever inventive de Castellane has freely mixed deep green emeralds, diamonds and blue or pink sapphires in assorted cuts with tourmalines, red spinels, turquoises and pale violet kunzites in rare pieces inspired by the geometry of the Art Deco.
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There are opals chosen for their arresting colours – working with the gem is one of de Castellane's specialities – and in a first for the designer, pieces dotted with white, pink and mauve pearls. Added colour comes in the form of fifteen shades of lacquer, sprayed onto gold to achieve a solid or gradient finish. To de Castellane, the wearing and safekeeping of jewellery add yet another emotional layer to her work.
"Jewellery is very important, it's the most precious accessory and a little treasure for people who own them", says de Castellane. "Jewellery is a treasure because of its value, and it’s a treasure because jewellery is transmettable. That's very important for me, this notion that you can wear something from your grandmother, from people before you. I love this idea, the eternity of jewellery".
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