SimplyAbuDhabi XVI

1 3 3 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I W hen you grow up in one of the world’s most famous minimalist buildings, youdevelop an eye for simple lines and elegant geometry. French designer Frédérique Dessemond hails from the lively city of Marseille, once residing in La Cité Radieuse – The Radiant City – the building designed by the renowned Le Corbusier and hailed for its pure minimalism. After her schooling, she settled in New York, a place where sophisticated elegance is always in style and designers are fuelled by creative energy. And now, the influence of both cities can be found on beautiful display in the unique jewellery brand, GinetteNY. Partnering with the Christian Bernard Group, a French luxury watch and jewellerycompany,MsDessemond launchedGinetteNYas a showcase for her purely elegant designs. Perfect for everyday wear, or worn layered together for amoredramatic flair, theGinetteNYcollectionreinterprets the past, yet remains distinctly contemporary. After ten years of perfecting minimalist chic, 2014 has been a banner year for the brand, including coverage in international fashionpublications such as Elle and Marie Claire. Now, for Autumn/Winter 2014, Ginette NY continues toexpand the themes of volumes andmaterials, including a foray into ceramicwork and a full diamond collection. In the ceramics line, Ginette NY explores the possibilities of introducing new surfaces and density to the world of jewellery, mixing it with its iconic RoseGoldcollection.CeramicMonogramfeaturesGinetteNY’s signature monogram emblem, embossed on ceramic for a distinctive look. The Ceramic Monogram Ring, for example, is a funky, chunky black ceramic bandavailable as either a closedor opencircle, embellishedwith thedelicate and exoticGinetteNY logo in 18k pink gold. The collection also includes a wide, openwrist bangle and charming little stud earrings. Playing with shapes, the Ceramic collection also features ‘TV’ jewellery: squared off, screen-shaped ceramic and gold pieces available as bangle bracelets andpendants.Whilst uniquely elegant on their own, thepieces are meant for layering: it’s all about stacking layers of black ceramic and gold to create your own signature look. It’s worth noting, too, that the ceramic material is as hard as a diamond, so the rings and bangles in particular are resistant to the scratches andwear of daily use. Elsewhere, the Ginette NY icon is given a truly luxurious twist in the diamond collection, a delicately sparkling andultra-feminine pavé range set against rich 18k pink and rose gold.What’smost striking about this range is its understated elegance. This is not your typical diamond jewellery collection: it’s discreet, lady-like, yet incredibly sophisticated. Here you can see the designer’s love of clean lines and pure geometrical shapes realised in subtle yet luxurious flashes of brilliance. Take, for instance, theMini Straw diamonds. Pavé stones of different sizes are set in a tube-shaped pendant that dangles from a refined chain of 18k rose gold beads, or on the gossamer-thin gold band of theMini Straw ring. There’s avery timeless feel to thepieces, butwithadecidedlycontemporary twist. The understated Twenty-Ten ring, as well as the Galaxy ring with its rounder shape andmodern setting, are sure to be instant classics as well. Slightly bigger in scale but every bit as finely rendered is the Voluté range. The sides of 18k pink gold cuff bracelet are bridged by delicate, swooping lines of pavé diamonds, which – despite the solidity of thematerials – looks lighter than air as it caresses the wrist. The Voluté necklace continues the theme of intersecting curved lines, creating a fascinating shape that is only enhancedby the subtletyof the goldchain that holds it.The ring is the third part of the trilogy: as remarkably freshandmodernas it is, there’s something soclassic about it that youcouldeasily imagine it as avintageheirloompiece. Bycontrast, the triple rowchoker isbeautifullyminimalist.Three slimbands ofwarmrose gold lie gently on theneck in a statement of pure architectural elegance, embellishedonlyby thediscreet rowof diamondpavé at theends. The simple power of the Baguette signet ring is sure to appeal, as well, to discerningwomenwhodon’tneed towear large, flashygems tomakea style statement. And really, that’s the Ginette NY woman. She’s confident and chic, she appreciates classicdesign–andsheknows that the simplepower tobe found in exquisitely subtle, yet alluring, jewellery only serves to elevate her own beauty.