Dior Joaillerie has consistently pushed the boundaries of high jewellery, and the Dior Print collection stands as a testament to this innovative spirit. Under the creative direction of Victoire de Castellane, this collection is arguably the most quintessentially Dior to date. It embodies her distinctive style in a manner that is instantly recognizable yet intriguingly novel. Inspired by the concept of translating fabric prints onto jewellery, Dior Print defies easy categorization. It’s a vibrant tapestry of graphic and abstract forms, playful bows, delicate flowers, radiant halos, and fluid waves. This collection is both precisely what one anticipates from the esteemed maison and utterly surprising in its diverse aesthetic expression. To truly grasp its essence, experiencing it firsthand is essential.
To understand the origins of the Dior Print High Jewellery collection, it’s crucial to revisit key moments in Victoire de Castellane’s journey with the brand. Her previous collections have consistently drawn inspiration from Christian Dior’s couture legacy. Dior Dior Dior in 2018 explored the intricate world of lace used by Monsieur Dior in his original Haute Couture creations. The Tie & Dior collection of 2020 delved into the captivating effects of textile dyeing. Most recently, the Galons Dior collection, launched in January 2022, examined the opulent trimmings, swags, and braids that the maison’s founder employed as couture embellishments. The overarching theme is clear: extracting elements of haute couture fashion and infusing them into high jewellery, utilizing colour in both graphic and fantastical ways. The 2020 Dior et Moi collection, with its striking use of opals, multi-coloured gems, emeralds, and turquoises, serves as another compelling example of this design philosophy.
Models in a garden setting showcase the Dior Print High Jewellery collection, reminiscent of Greek statues.
Dior Print advances this narrative by envisioning a technique where fabric prints are seamlessly transposed onto exquisite jewels. In the words of a press release, “Liberty prints, checks, stripes, and tie-dye are among the ultra-precious motifs in the Dior Print high jewellery collection, comprising 137 joyful, virtuoso pieces that seem to swirl like an haute couture gown.” The sheer diversity of these print inspirations is what lends the collection its dynamic energy. It’s a visual journey that leaps from ribbons of blue, green, and colourless gemstones to floral ear cuffs, dazzling white diamond cocktail rings, and gracefully crafted diamond-set bows – another iconic Dior signature.
Models elegantly display pieces from the Dior Print High Jewellery collection, highlighting the collection's versatility.
The core concept – transforming the motif of a two-dimensional fabric into three-dimensional jewellery – has given life to 35 printed parures. These are adorned with checks and stripes, tie-dye colour gradients, geometric patterns, and Liberty prints that captivate the eye while their exceptional fluidity gently graces the skin like a soft, silky breeze.
Within the Dior Print collection, one discovers a range of jewellery pieces – rings, ear cuffs, brooches, chokers, plastrons, and bracelets – each “conceived like fabric in miniature.” When worn, these pieces strike a harmonious balance, avoiding both understatement and ostentation. They occupy a middle ground that is simultaneously flamboyant, voluminous, and youthful. To evoke the sensation of fabric swaying in the breeze, seemingly ‘rigid’ gemstones are meticulously placed to mimic flowing materials. Shape, size, and scale are all carefully considered to create this visual illusion. Conversely, the Vendome ring, necklace, and bracelet offer a graphic and conceptual aesthetic, resembling Lego bricks scattered and then sprinkled with diamonds upon landing. According to Dior, this is a deliberate “crazy tossing of stones,” incorporating exceptional gems such as an 11.58 carat D flawless pear-shaped diamond, a 14.66 carat Burmese sapphire, and a 10.27 carat ruby from Mozambique.
A model showcasing a Dior Print High Jewellery headpiece and earrings, emphasizing the collection's dramatic flair.
The pinnacle of the collection is a remarkable fusion of floral prints and stripes. This masterpiece necklace features interwoven ribbons of gold in three distinct colours, employing articulated links inspired by watchmaking techniques. Other necklaces in the collection showcase magnificent centre stones: an 11.92 carat Colombian emerald, a large pear-shaped Paraiba tourmaline, and a striking opal cabochon. Exploring further into the Dior Print universe reveals a fresh interpretation of check motifs. Grids of blue sapphires, punctuated by round brilliant-cut diamonds and finished with substantial oval-shaped sapphire centre stones, reimagine this classic pattern. The traditionally masculine check is transformed in notable creations, including a ribbon necklace adorned with a 12.07-carat Madagascar sapphire, a double ring featuring a nearly six-carat Ceylon sapphire, and drop earrings with edges that appear sharply cut, as if precisely snipped with scissors.
Layered necklaces from the Dior Print High Jewellery collection, demonstrating the use of diamonds and vibrant gemstones.
Stripes are also prominently featured, interwoven with floral elements in a vibrant palette of pink, violet, and blue sapphires, white diamonds, and mauve amethysts, adorning rings, necklaces, earrings, and even a secret watch. Exceptional gemstones are abundant, including an 8.02 carat lilac sapphire from Madagascar, alongside rubies, spinels, and yellow diamonds that embellish white gold braiding. Among the jewels inspired by Liberty prints, two ribbon necklaces stand out, each featuring a significant diamond: one with a 10.05-carat cushion-cut D flawless white diamond and the other with a 3.04-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond.
Floral inspired necklace and earrings from the Dior Print High Jewellery collection, showcasing the delicate floral motifs.
To celebrate the launch of Dior Print, Dior hosted a spectacular catwalk event on June 4, 2022, at the Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina, Italy. The jewellery pieces were paired with haute couture fashion by Maria Grazia Chiuri and a specially designed make-up look by artist Peter Philips. Models were transformed into living paintings of Grecian goddesses, posed amidst stone pedestals in a tribute to classical Greek statuary.
Models at the Dior Print High Jewellery launch party, wearing pieces from the collection and celebrating its debut.
Dior Print High Jewellery necklace featuring a mix of pink and yellow gold with a variety of precious gemstones.
Dior Print High Jewellery bracelet with an opal cabochon and a colourful array of gemstones.
Dior Print High Jewellery ring showcasing blue and green gemstones alongside brilliant diamonds.
Dior Print High Jewellery earrings featuring blue and green gemstones and sparkling diamonds.
Dior Print High Jewellery ring with an oval tanzanite and a medley of multi-coloured gemstones.
Dior Print High Jewellery floral-inspired ear cuff adorned with coloured gemstones and diamonds in gold.
Dior Print High Jewellery piece displaying a tonal gradient of deep and light blue sapphires.
Dior Print High Jewellery earrings inspired by flowing floral fabric patterns, capturing movement and grace.
Dior Print High Jewellery creation with a check pattern effect, using white diamonds and rich blue sapphires.
Dior Print High Jewellery creation featuring a harmonious blend of blue and green gemstones with diamonds.
Victoire de Castellane at the Dior Print High Jewellery collection launch dinner, highlighting her creative vision.
Model wearing opal cabochon and multi-coloured gemstone jewellery from the Dior Print High Jewellery collection.
Model wearing various pieces from the Dior Print High Jewellery collection, showcasing its diverse designs.
Models on the catwalk at the Dior Print High Jewellery collection launch event, presenting the collection to the world.
Sapphire jewellery pieces from the Dior Print High Jewellery collection, emphasizing the use of vibrant blue sapphires.
Model wearing a striking necklace from the Dior Print High Jewellery collection, adorned with a multitude of gems.
Multi-coloured gemstone jewellery pieces from the Dior Print High Jewellery collection, highlighting the range of colours and stones.
Models photographed at the Dior Print High Jewellery launch event in Italy, capturing the glamour and setting.
The connection to printed fabrics and the seemingly random “crazy tossing of stones” might appear unconventional. However, this is precisely the essence of the non-conformist spirit that defines Dior Print. High Jewellery is inherently about purpose and artistry, but it is equally about beauty, pleasure, elegance, and narrative. Dior Print boldly embraces all these facets, proving that in the realm of high jewellery, one can indeed have their cake and eat it too.
WORDS
Katerina Perez is a jewellery insider, journalist and brand consultant with more than 15 years’ experience in the jewellery sector. Paris-based, Katerina has worked as a freelance journalist and content editor since 2011, writing articles for international publications. To share her jewellery knowledge and expertise, Katerina founded this website and launched her @katerina_perez Instagram in 2013.
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