Louis Vuitton’s Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds Collection

By Pune Media On Oct 12, 2024 27

Louis Vuitton’s “Awakened Hands” collection celebrates 19th-century French craftsmanship with exquisite high jewellery pieces.

Louis Vuitton has unveiled its largest and most ambitious high jewellery collection to date. Titled “Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds”, this extraordinary assemblage of 220 unique masterpieces pays homage to the transformative period of 19th-century France when the nation’s artisanal expertise and inventive spirit flourished.

The collection, conceptualised by Louis Vuitton’s Artistic Director for Watches and Jewelry, Francesca Amfitheatrof, is a testament to the Maison’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of creativity and craftsmanship. It also serves as a poignant reminder of Louis Vuitton’s own remarkable origins during this pivotal era.

A Journey Through Time: From Royal Courts to Modern Marvels

“Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds” is more than just a jewellery collection; it’s a narrative that unfolds across 13 distinct themes, each capturing a significant moment or concept from 19th-century France. The collection is divided into two chapters, with the first comprising 11 themes and 100 one-of-a-kind pieces.

The exploration and experimentation of French ateliers and craftsmen were made possible by the unprecedented freedom afforded to them by the end of royal court rule.

The debut of a 16-year-old Louis Vuitton in Paris in 1837 coincided with the renaissance of savoir-faire, thereby establishing the foundation for the establishment of one of the world’s most iconic luxury brands.

Amfitheatrof explains the significance of this era: “France in the 19th century was a phenomenal time of incredible change, and when Paris really became the centre of the world. The design language of Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds reflects that – all its intricacies, complications and innovations – turned into incredible jewels.”

Craftsmanship as Currency: The Birth of French Art de Vivre

The collection’s first chapter, “Awakened Hands”, celebrates the explosion of talent that infused all realms of craft during this period, from woodworking and textiles to jewellery making. It was during this time that craftsmanship became the currency of France, giving birth to the country’s renowned Art de Vivre and laying the foundation for what we know as luxury today.

The “Splendeur” necklace, a tribute to imperial grandeur, is one of the most remarkable items in this chapter. It is adorned with over 110 rubies that are precisely matched. This masterpiece necessitated the labour of 17 setters and 30 jewellers, who individually mounted over 2,400 elements over a period of 3,217 hours.

The “Splendeur” suite also showcases Louis Vuitton’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. The rubies, sourced from Mozambique, are fully traceable thanks to blockchain technology, making Louis Vuitton the first Maison to offer traceability of coloured stones in high jewellery.

From Textiles to Treasures: Séduction and Phenomenal

The “Séduction” theme pays homage to the textile and passementerie expertise that flourished during the 19th century. The centrepiece of this theme is a supple platinum and yellow gold necklace set with a 12.92-carat Zambian emerald.

The design incorporates key codes of the Maison, including knot-like, V-shape detailing and cord-style fringing that evoke the cords used to elevate Louis Vuitton’s historic trunks.

Another standout piece is the “Phenomenal” necklace, inspired by the intricate beauty of woven textiles. This voluminous, round-collar emerald necklace is set in a mosaic of stones, presenting an impressive work of suppleness. The piece culminates in a 5.07-carat Zambian emerald, exuding a graphically powerful yet subtle V signature.

Awakened Minds: Embracing the Future

As the collection progresses into its second chapter, “Awakened Minds”, we see a shift towards the industrialisation and rapid modernisation of the 1850s. This chapter embraces the interconnectedness of movement, exactitude, and balanced geometry, all infused with key codes and signatures of the Maison.

The “Perception” theme captures the era’s sense of motion and new pace. A stacked, high-collar necklace crafted in a mesmerising mix of diamonds plays with height, volume, and even optical illusion.

The centrepiece of this creation is an unprecedented lineup of prized gemstones, including two sapphires from Ceylon and Madagascar, of 20.10 carats and 7.08 carats respectively, matched in their cashmere-like quality and velvety blue intensity.

Innovation in Motion: Frequence and Gravité

The “Frequence” theme takes the notion of repetition to new heights, evoking the interconnectedness of the modern era. The Maison’s iconic kite motif is interpreted through a succession of concentric patterns, creating a subtle flower theme across a four-tiered, all-diamond necklace.

In “Gravité”, we see the perfect, balanced geometry of the V shape take centre stage. A statement necklace features a trio of sapphires in alternating sizes: 6.48 carats, 4.38 carats, and 2.13 carats. With the coveted Kashmir provenance and a penetrating deep royal blue, these stones are paired with different diamond cuts that form a V shape.

A New Dawn of Travel: Vision and Victoire

The “Vision” theme channels the spirit of travel that was ignited by breakthroughs in engineering and science, particularly the advent of railways. An enveloping necklace, fully articulated for ultimate suppleness, is crafted in platinum, yellow gold, and yellow sapphires.

The disruptive design showcases a mastery of interlacing V-shaped structures, as two octagonal-cut yellow sapphires, of 13.47 carats and 11.79 carats, enhance the golden theme.

The penultimate suite, “Victoire”, looks towards the Eiffel Tower, which would forever redesign Paris’s skyline. An astonishing necklace presents an inverted Eiffel Tower, its intricate arches set in a bejewelled, boxed-in enclosure.

The necklace features a highly important diamond – a 15.16-carat, D IF stone cut in the LV Monogram Flower – the largest ever set in the Maison’s High Jewelry Collections.

Apotheosis: Cœur de Paris

The collection culminated in 1889 with the unveiling of the Eiffel Tower, captured in the incredible “Cœur de Paris” necklace. Amfitheatrof describes the inspiration: “Imagine you are standing underneath the Tour Eiffel and looking up. You’re really looking up at the heart of Paris.”

The centrepiece of this masterpiece is a captivating 56.23-carat diamond, christened the Cœur de Paris diamond. This stone features a completely unique colour: an intense pink hue with unusual tones of orange. Its unique cut and large facet further enhance its rarity.

The necklace interlinks 26 LV Monogram Star cut diamonds – the Maison’s first such unique rivière creation. The centre stone can also be detached and worn as a brooch, showcasing the versatility that is a hallmark of Louis Vuitton’s high jewellery designs.

A Testament to French Luxury and Art de Vivre

“Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds” is more than just a high jewellery collection; it’s a narrative that traces Louis Vuitton’s incredible journey through a momentous period of flourishing French savoir-faire, craft, and industriousness. It stands as a testament to the Maison’s position as an emblem of the country’s link to luxury.

As Amfitheatrof concludes, “Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds tells a story that’s very close to who we are. By showing this mixture of craftsmanship, engineering, invention and bravery – we are really talking about Louis Vuitton. This Collection signifies everything that is true to the Maison, true to French luxury, true to Art de Vivre – and we couldn’t celebrate in a better way.”

With this extraordinary collection, Louis Vuitton not only pays homage to its rich heritage but also demonstrates its continued commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and the art of luxury.

As the world of high jewellery continues to evolve, “Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds” stands as a shining example of how tradition and modernity can coexist in perfect harmony, creating pieces that are not just jewellery but works of art that tell a story of a nation, a craft, and a visionary brand.

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