March 6, 2013
Robert
Goossens launched his jewelry house in 1950, and was quickly tapped to
create couture fashion jewelry for Paris’ biggest houses. Cristobal
Balenciaga, Elsa Schiaparelli and Yves Saint Laurent all enlisted
Goossens’ talents, although, his most famous works are easily the gilded
bronze and rock crystal sautoirs, large Byzantine cuffs, and pearl
brooches he created for Chanel. “The house was always a bit atypical. My
father and Mademoiselle Chanel really created the concept of vrai/faux
fashion jewelry together,” explained the house’s current creative
director, Robert Goossens’ son, Patrick. (Patrick’s sister, Martine, is
the hand behind the furniture and other decorative objects you see in
Chanel’s flagship stores). “The thing about [our approach to jewelry] is
that it’s not a matter of price: you can go to the Place Vendome and
see-not so-great expensive things, or you might find something fabulous
at Monoprix,” he adds.
This
season, Goossens has decided to reimagine some of its iconic styles
(think braided metal belts, triple-strand necklaces with semi-precious
stones, and chain-link chokers), and offer them at approachable prices
(about $200 for a ring, up to about $1,300 for a heavy stone and pearl
piece). “I want to make sure the Goossens signature is recognizable,”
said Patrick. “Both for customers now, but also for customers’
granddaughters one day.”
No comments:
Post a Comment