Dare To Dream: An Exclusive Interview with Boucheron’s Creative Director, Claire Choisne
Cleverly merging classic craftsmanship with contemporary designs inspired by the past, the jewellery house’s latest collection, Histoire de Style, Art Déco is a thing of beauty. Perfect for sophisticated brides…
Irrefutably renowned for creating exquisite high jewellery collections, Parisian jewellery maison, Boucheron has remained one of the most celebrated jewellers across the globe since its inception in 1858, founded by Frédéric Boucheron.
Today, the maison’s storied heritage continues to flourish through innovative designs, dramatically brought to life by its remarkably skilled creative team. Bazaar Bride’s Nina Catt spoke to Creative Director, Claire Choisne to get an insight into the new high jewellery collection, Histoire de Style, Art Déco, and discovers how the house collaborated with NASA to create a truly out-of-this-world necklace.
In one word, how would you describe Boucheron? Creative.
What has been your biggest accomplishment whilst working with the jewellery house? One of my biggest accomplishments so far was when we unveiled the Contemplation high jewellery collection last year. Combining innovation and creativity with poetry and emotion, the collection was one of the most challenging to create, with the Goutte de Ciel necklace the most demanding. With this piece I wanted to capture what cannot be caught – a piece of the sky to wear around the neck. Finding the right materials to express the beauty of the cosmic sky was a challenge. For two years, we sought a material that could replicate not only the sky’s infinite palette of blues, but also its fleeting, near- impalpable essence. Finally, we came across aerogel, a NASA-designed material used on the outside of spaceships to gather stardust. There is only one person in the world that can shape this material – they work for NASA. It is important to know that aerogel is not a material that can be sculpted or carved very easily. We wanted a complex drop shape with special dimensions. What we wanted, and eventually achieved, had never been done before. It took a total of 857 hours to create this necklace.
Goutte de Ciel necklace in rock crystal paved with diamonds and set with a drop of rock crystal in aerogel, in white gold
That sounds like an incredible project to have been a part of. Please tell us about the latest high jewellery collection, Histoire de Style, Art Déco? We chose Art Déco because personally, we love it! And also because it’s the style that best transcends time while remaining both classic and contemporary. The collection was inspired by our archives but I wanted to offer a modern interpretation. The archival pieces all featured clean lines. They are feminine yet masculine, and they are black and white with a touch of colour, which I adore. So I kept these elements in mind to create the new pieces. The collection is a declaration of freedom and style.
Chevalière Émeraude ring set with a 4.43 carat emerald-cut Colombian emerald, paved with diamonds and rock crystal, in white gold and platinum
What is your favourite piece? It is difficult to choose but if I have to, my favourite piece would be the Lavallière Diamant necklace which is inspired by a 1925 cravat. You can detach the central part and wear it as a brooch or a collar pin. This piece can be worn very elegantly by both women and men. This simple twist gives complete freedom to wear the piece in different ways.
Lavallière Diamants multi-wear necklace paved with diamonds and onyx, with black lacquer, in white gold
And what is your favourite engagement ring? The Vendôme Liseré ring. The black lacquer border enhances the central emerald-cut diamond just beautifully. It gives it an incredible modern touch while remaining timeless. For me, this ring is synonymous with elegance.
Vendôme Liseré ring, set with a 0.5 carat emerald-cut diamond, paved with round diamonds with a black lacquer border, in white gold
What would you pair this with? A simple, yet elegant micro pavé band is what I love. It’s like a line of light on the finger. This style goes with everything.
What is your most treasured piece in your personal jewellery box? That’s an easy question. Three years ago, we created a collection called Nature Triumphant, in which we made a set of nine rings. We called them Eternal Flowers. I love these rings because they express what I want to give creatively: the beauty of nature to live on eternally.
How would you describe the Boucheron customer? I think about the character of the woman (and man). I imagine them as having a sincere love for jewellery and design. They come to us, to Boucheron, to find pieces to reinforce and complement their own personal style.
Pendant earrings set with 12 Zambian emerald beads, paved with diamonds, emeralds and onyx, in white gold and platinum
What is your vision and direction for the future of Boucheron? To constantly reinvent ourselves. To dare to be creative, and to always push the limits of jewellery whether with regards to the materials used, or the techniques applied. This will allow the wearer to assert their individuality through the pieces of jewellery they wear.
Creative Director of Boucheron, Claire Choisne
From the spring/summer 2021 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Bride
Images courtesy of Boucheron