Francesca Amfitheatrof is at it again. The artistic director of watches and jewelry at Louis Vuitton, Amfitheatrof (who hailed from a five-year creative leadership role at Tiffany & Co.) has transformed the department in the four short years she’s led it (most recently, with her LV Diamonds collection of the house’s signature floral motif encrusted with diamonds released during Couture this year). And on Aug. 19, she’s introducing an extension of a jewelry collection that’s core to the French house’s DNA: Empreinte.
Having debuted in 2004, Empreinte is not a new series of fine jewelry designs. Amfitheatrof’s contemporary take, however, is. Rendered in solid 18k yellow, white, and pink gold with hints of diamonds, the collection features George Vuitton’s 1896 LV initials as well as openwork Monogram flowers and trunk stud impressions throughout. The collection’s rings and bracelets, in particular, take on a literal resemblance to Louis Vuitton’s recognizable leather luggage straps and interprets them to represent the interlacing of relationships and close bonds. Other pieces, including the necklaces and ear cuffs, are easily restyled, mixed, and matched to signify individuality.
“With Empreinte,” the house said in a statement, “Louis Vuitton asserts a jewelry collection full of character, writing an ode to travel in clear lines and bright strokes.”
As a whole, the collection—which ranges in price from $1,950 to $45,500—stands as a testament to the power of the LV monogram through time and context, just like the artistic director behind it.
Top: Model Anna Ewers wears a bracelet, rings, necklaces, earrings, and ear cuffs from the newest chapter of Louis Vuitton’s Empreinte collection (all photos courtesy of Louis Vuitton).
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