Louis V Takes A Trip

I can't decide whether I love this Louis Vuitton necklace, or hate it. It's doing something to me though...

Designed by Lorenz Bäumer (who's also designed for Chanel and Baccarat) it's one of six one-off necklaces which form the centrepieces of a collection of parures called L’Âme du Voyage aka The Soul of the Journey (or somesuch).

Inspired by LV's travel heritage these lace-like trinkets are packed with diamonds, rubies, pink sapphires and garnets to name a few. Like it or not (and the craftsmanship is undeniable) at around $2.5 million US this necklace this is one luxury round-the-world trip.



3 Days Later...

In the wake of the comment and link below it's worth noting that in Nov 2008 LV patented 2 diamond cuts – the rounded fleur quatrefoil and the pointed fleur – both of which can be seen in this collection.

Crystal Clear

Currently lighting up the windows of London’s Dover Street market, this installation of Baccarat chandeliers is Rei Kawakubo’s homage to the crystal-meisters’ latest jewellery collection. Designed in collaboration with Elie Top (the man behind Lanvin’s exquisite jewellery of late) Bouchons de Carafe is a range of hand-cut cocktail rings, pendants and bangles inspired by the stoppers of 100-year-old Baccarat brandy decanters and perfume bottles.

"I decided to go back to Baccarat’s roots”, says Top of the collection which launches in April. “For me, the name Baccarat suggests chandeliers, gleaming facets and French-style luxury. I aimed to revive these design codes, but with a touch of tongue-in-cheek humour. In French, one says that a diamond is ‘as big as a decanter stopper!’ The collection is a light-hearted take on this expression, as well as a respectful tribute to Baccarat."

Check out this clip of Top explaining it in his own words. It's worth a peek just to see his top (ahem) 'tache.