The iconic scene from ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ where Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly gazes longingly at the Tiffany & Co. window on Fifth Avenue is a moment etched in cinematic history. It’s a scene that embodies the allure of Tiffany’s and the yearning for its exquisite diamonds. Now, that dream is being reignited at Selfridges in London.
To celebrate the opening of their new store, Tiffany & Co. has taken over 13 of Selfridges’ landmark windows, transforming them into a captivating art experience. The building’s facade is illuminated in Tiffany’s signature blue, drawing eyes towards the captivating displays within.
While the windows evoke the memory of the film, they also present something entirely new. Christopher Young, Tiffany & Co.’s vice president and creative director, explains, “A part of the role of a store window is to show the world something that they’ve never seen before.” To achieve this, Tiffany has partnered with four renowned British artists – Damien Hirst, Rana Begum, James Righton, and Jason Bruges – to create site-specific installations inspired by Tiffany’s vast archive, a treasure trove of over 5,000 objects, including iconic jewellery pieces and window displays.
Each artist brings their unique perspective and artistic flair to the Tiffany aesthetic. Damien Hirst, known for his provocative and playful approach, references his pharmaceutical series with a giant Tiffany-blue pill, topped with a pavé Tiffany Bean pendant. Rana Begum, celebrated for her sculptural and colorful works, uses the Elsa Peretti Pavé Bone Cuff as her muse, drawing a parallel between the cuff’s movement and the reflection of light in her artwork, ‘No 1403 Reflectors 2024’.
This collaboration is a testament to Tiffany’s history of embracing artistic collaborations. Gene Moore, the brand’s window display visionary from 1955 to 1994, pioneered the use of emerging artists for iconic window displays. A selection of these, including the 1957 ‘Jewels at the End of a Dock’ by Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns, will be recreated for the Selfridges project.
Beyond the captivating installations, visitors will also have the opportunity to view rare pieces from Tiffany’s archive, including Jean Schlumberger’s surreal jewellery and Pharrell Williams’s Tiffany Titan collaboration, through guided gallery tours. A serendipitous discovery during the project unearthed a treasure: the original chandelier from ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’, found amongst the personal belongings of Gene Moore. This piece will be on display, adding a poignant touch to the experience.
The Tiffany & Co. Windows of Wonder Art Experience at Selfridges is a testament to the brand’s enduring legacy and its ongoing dedication to artistic collaboration. It’s a celebration of beauty, aspiration, and the transformative power of art and design. The exhibition runs until October 20, 2024, offering a unique opportunity to experience the magic of Tiffany & Co. in a whole new light.
