Boucheron Embraces Their Quirky Side with Their Colourful "More is More" Collection
"More is More" is a High Jewellery collection unlike any other we've seen, thanks to the French high jeweller embracing its playful side
After enduring months of confinement and strict limitations, Claire Choisne, the creative director of Boucheron, witnessed a delightful shift in mood. Her previously somber moodboards gave way to exuberance, embracing vibrant colours, geometric patterns, and extravagant forms. This unconventional High Jewellery collection knows no boundaries, liberating itself from conventional sizes, materials, and shapes. It serves as a much-needed respite from the gloom, featuring whimsical elements such as balls, cubes, and unexpected combinations. Drawing inspiration from the Memphis movement, it incorporates innovative materials, oversized necklaces, and even jewellery pockets. However, the true star of the collection is an enormous hair bow.
Called "Tie the Knot," this bow possesses a supple fabric-like quality and a lightness reminiscent of a cartoon drawing. It showcases a striking contrast of red on one side and black-and-white grosgrain stripes on the other. This ambitious piece measures 29 cm and presents an optical illusion, skillfully crafted from wood pulp, cotton fibers, and magnesium on the reverse side. Achieving this technical feat required the dexterity and creativity of skilled artisans. Surprisingly, this intricate knot comprises fewer than 200 individual components.
In addition, the collection presents six graphic rings and a geometric scrunchie. Each ring delicately holds a distinctive centerpiece — a sphere adorned with yellow diamonds and yellow sapphires, a cube embellished with baguette diamonds and black lacquer stripes, and Italian glass from Murano Island, exhibiting a mesmerizing blue hue. Moreover, a double finger ring features a magnificent hollow sphere crafted from rock crystal.
One of the most surprising objects in the collection is a High Jewellery pocket. Contrary to traditional expectations of necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, "In The Pocket" is a jewel encrusted with onyx, diamonds, and lacquer, created using titanium and white gold. Similarly, "An Apple A Day" takes the form of a bracelet paved with tsavorites and adorned with lacquer, also utilizing titanium and white gold. Both designs can be transformed into a bracelet and two detached rings.
Pushing boundaries even further, hoodie cords have made their debut in Haute Joaillerie. These cords, functioning as brooch-like fastening systems, attach to the base of a hoodie, resulting in a magnificent jewel that spans over 40cm. This versatile piece can be worn in multiple ways, transforming the cords into earrings, resembling a totemic presence or simply adorning the ears.
As a final flourish, there's a necklace that beckons to be noticed: a cascade of extra-flat and oversized pearls, akin to joyous soap bubbles, meant to adorn either a sweater or bare skin. The crafting process involved meticulous application of mother-of-pearl powder onto an aluminum foundation, followed by digital printing to emulate the serendipitous arrangement of pearls found in nature. White gold served as the base, featuring a sapphire crystal commonly seen on watch dials. This combination resulted in a delicate, slightly curved effect on both the front and reverse sides of the necklace and ring. To pay homage to the iconic pearl necklaces by Frédéric Boucheron, each pearl is delicately connected by a diamond link, completing the tribute in stunning fashion.