SimplyAbuDhabi XXXIII

7 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I T his January in Paris, during Haute Couture week, High Jewellery collections were really discreet and understated. Of course, it’s the January edition, the one devoted to Spring Summer 2019 creations and customers tend to buy less than for Fall (July edition of Haute Couture) but this time collections were exceptionally small, but nonetheless no less beautiful. What was very interesting this time was the fact that instead of the stone speaking for the jewel, it was the jewel that spoke for itself. Discretion was key. Big and fancy stones were noticeably absent and instead, beautiful settings took their place. Also of interest, transformable pieces were key for some Maisons, but also here discretion and finesse were crucial. Another characteristic of this season were the stones which, even if small compared with the huge carats we were used to in past seasons, were magnificent intermsof colour, clarityandcut. However, not only did small things feature in the opening of Haute Couture Week but there was also a major event with the reopening of the historic Boucheron flagship store in 26 Place Vendôme which, as their CEO Hélène Poulit- Duquesne said to me, “is conceived as a family house and not as a normal store. Here we want to greet the clients as friends who are very welcome at the house of Boucheron.” As well as the Boucheron event, Damiani also unveiled for the first time their most iconic pieces which won the Diamonds International Awards, the Oscars of the jewellery world, to clients and the press. Finally, this season’s hot pieces will be horlogerie-inspired rings by Dreamboule, cocktail rings, good luck necklaces and statement bracelets.