French Maison Chaumet unveils a fresh facet of its jewellery culture with a new exhibition at 165 Boulevard Saint-Germain, from 1 October to 2 November 2019. Through a series of photographs by Julia Hetta, ‘Autrement’ explores the art of appropriating jewels by wearing them according to the whims of fashions and fantasy, with daring and creativity.
The art of the twist, an ancestral art
Whether forehead jewel or ferronnière, a necklace woven through the hair, or bracelets worn at the shoulder or ankle, from the Italian Renaissance to the fashion statements of today, jewellery lends itself to inventive adaptability.
Freed from its primary function, it graces the body, clothes or hair, becoming a precious accessory of a new kind. Cultivating its Parisian spirit since 1780, constantly reinventing itself through fashion and the arts, over the course of its history Maison Chaumet has created jewels intended to be worn differently.
Witness the Maison’s archival drawings and photographs in which the jewels astonish and perplex. Necklace or tiara? Bracelet or bodice ornament? Brooch or pendant. Revisiting this age-old practice with modernity, the exhibition Autrement showcases an unprecedented dialogue between art and fashion, history and trends, the Maison’s heritage and its contemporary creations.
Among the Chaumet archival elements and jewels of yesterday and today, the works of the great masters are digitalised, while photographs by Julia Hetta are presented inside 25 historical frames dating from the 15th to 19th century and loaned by Maison Lebrun.
Autrement, taking jewellery to new heights of artistic expression
The Swedish photographer produced a series of beautiful images inspired by the Dutch masters and Renaissance art. High Jewellery necklaces become headbands, Jeux de Liens and Liens Séduction sautoirs are worn as shoulder strap or anklets, Espiègleries brooches appear as precious hair pins, a Liens Évidence wedding band hugs a lock of hair, Joséphine Aigrette bracelets are worn like palm jewels, a Bee My Love cocktail ring transforms into a scarf ring…
The result offers an abundance of suggestions to appropriate, a wealth of invitations to reinvent jewellery through how one wears it.
Autrement is the latest exhibition organised at 165 Boulevard Saint-Germain, the Maison’s temporary address and place where it has been sharing its history before its historic boutique and workshops at Place Vendôme reopen in January 2020. Throughout 2019 this private mansion in the heart of the iconic quarter of the Left Bank has been the backdrop to various exhibitions and events showcasing the connection between Chaumet’s heritage and the Arts.
The visit lasts 45 minutes with reservation required to visit. Reserve using the module below. It’s a self-guided visit. Art appreciation representatives will be present for consultation.
Come into the beautiful world of Chaumet and reserve your visit: Chaumet. #Chaumet165
Yakymour 