Dior’s extraordinary week in Florence commenced with an enchanting evening at the Basilica Santa Maria Novella, a Renaissance masterpiece adorned with treasures by legendary artists. Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco graced the lavish tablescapes with culinary delights, as guests reveled in the candlelit ambiance. The night culminated in a private showcase of Diorama, Victoire de Castellane’s whimsical and playful high jewelry collection, set within the cloister’s serene atmosphere.
Castellane’s tenure as Creative Director of Dior Joaillerie has redefined the landscape of Place Vendôme, introducing a spirited and vibrant approach to jewelry design. Her latest collection, Diorama, revisits an aristocratic 18th-century fabric chosen by Monsieur Christian Dior for his first boutique. Patinated with gemstones and intricate relief, the pieces evoke bucolic scenes and pay homage to Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri’s vision.
The centerpiece of Diorama is the Enchanted Forest necklace, an exquisite glyptic bestiary featuring a trio of does, a swan, a rabbit, and a squirrel amidst a verdant thicket of 1,300 gems. The masterpiece required the collaboration of specialized artisans, including a master gem-carver and -engraver, and represents the largest collection of gems ever dedicated to a single collection by Dior.
Other highlights of the collection include miniature deer and owls in tonal lacquer, swans gliding on mother-of-pearl lakes, and lush flora adorned with diamond-pavé rabbits, foxes, or squirrels. De Castellane’s fascination with Australian opals inspired a parure that evokes the depths of the ocean. The Diorigami suite hints at the upcoming fall collection, where the toile de Jouy theme transforms into a graphic expression of nature, influenced by the Japanese art of paper folding and couture pleating techniques.
De Castellane’s approach to design draws inspiration from both childhood memories and the eccentricities of her family. She believes that finding balance in chaos is essential, a philosophy reflected in her taste for asymmetry. Her creations are a testament to her obsession with jewelry, a passion that she happily shares with the world.
