Stepping back in time to the early days of Dior’s iconic 30 Avenue Montaigne location, we find a small boutique named Colifichets. While the haute couture salons resided upstairs, Colifichets offered a more accessible range of perfumes, simpler dresses, gloves, scarves, and more. It was within this space that a signature element of the Dior house was born—the walls of Colifichets were adorned with toile de jouy, fabrics showcasing idyllic pastoral scenes.
This year marks a momentous occasion, as Victoire de Castellane, Dior’s artistic director of jewellery, has incorporated this cherished print into high jewellery for the first time in the Diorama & Diorigami collection. Diorama, a name that plays on both the literal and the brand’s signature style, reinterprets the bucolic designs of toile de jouy prints in breathtaking, three-dimensional forms.
These nature scenes are brought to life through a vibrant mix of colored gemstones, textured and engraved gold, and—most notably—the ancient art of glyptic stone carving. Imagine a lush landscape rendered in handworked yellow gold, featuring a symphony of diamonds, tsavorite garnets, yellow sapphires, and cultured pearls, all forming a fantastical foliage anchored by a magnificent emerald. Amidst this vibrant tapestry of nature, deer, a squirrel, a rabbit, and a swan, meticulously carved from milky green chrysoprase, graze and rest, imbued with an enchanting sense of life.
Diorama & Diorigami embodies the house’s enduring love for nature and its commitment to crafting exquisite pieces that bridge tradition with modern design. This collection is a testament to the enduring power of toile de jouy and a captivating reminder of the intricate details that make Dior jewellery so special.