By Maria Doulton in London
Louis Vuitton presents new variants to the Dentelle de Monogram collection that over the past three years has become one of the house's most recognisable jewellery designs.
Originally seen in the 2012 high jewellery collection, Voyage dans le Temps, the well-known flower and star motifs of the maison find their way into new Louis Vuitton jewellery and watches for 2014.
The fresh arrivals offer ways to wear your Louis Vuitton jewellery almost every day. Unlike the previous one-off creations, with large central stones, these fine jewels don't have to wait for the red carpet to shine. Created to add glamour to your everyday life, you can wear them as audaciously as you dare.
At first glance, the pattern of diamonds resembles delicate Victorian lace, but look closely and you will see that the diamonds cluster in shapes that mimic the little flowers and stars found on the canvas that covered the original Louis Vuitton steamer trunks. This subtle and very pretty interpretation of these Louis Vuitton mainstays, famous around the world, adds personality to these jewels and watches without falling prey to obvious branding.
The lace - or dentelle in French - pattern of stars and flowers now adorns a collection of seven Dentelle de Monogram jewels, all in diamonds set in white gold. The gold is meticulously crafted to be as flexible as lace itself so that the jewels appear to hover over the skin, catching the light with every move.
While the inspiration may hark back to times past and the rich history of Louis Vuitton's design heritage, the effect of clusters and sprays of diamonds has a contemporary lightness to it. A cravat-style necklace joins two strands of diamonds into a central lattice - a sexy look with an air of Victorian daintiness.
Most dramatic is the shorter necklace in a classical style that, in ever increasing sizes, weaves together garlands of diamond flowers and stars that lead to a 0.50 carat diamond, cut in the shape of a star. Two styles of bracelets and earrings and a ring complete the family, allowing you to choose between daytime looks or dramatic statements for the evening.
As is increasingly the way at Louis Vuitton, a series of watches come hand in hand with the new jewels. Top of the range is the Dentelle de Monogram watch in white gold, entirely set with diamonds on the bracelet, case and dial. The lace pattern is cleverly picked out in diamonds on the white mother-of-pearl dial for a very opulent shimmer. Slightly more restrained is the version with only diamonds on the dial and case, presented on a satin strap.
Resolutely everyday are the two versions with the Dentelle de Monogram pattern etched onto the white or black mother-of-pearl dials and surrounded by a circle of diamonds on the bezel.
Louis Vuitton is tempting women to bring out the Parisian in us all and to embrace life with as much glamour, diamonds and elegance as possible. Can you resist?
