Louis Vuitton presented its new collection Deep Time at the Herodeion, one of the oldest open-air theatres in the world, located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus
The choice was emblematic since Greece perfectly represents the essence and the spiritual soul of this collection.
Louis Vuitton Deep Time Performance
A captivating performance, conceived by the famous Greek choreographer Dimitris Papaioannou, paid homage to the birth of Aphrodite.
Deep Time collection
Gondwana necklace featuring no-oil Colombian emeralds in platinum. The seven rows are punctuated by Louis Vuitton’s V signature motif. The collier also features 259 diamonds
The stage was adorned with models reminiscent of the legendary Amazons (the formidable female warriors from Greek mythology), displaying the most exquisite jewelry. These mannequins, illuminated by intense spotlights, moved gracefully amidst enigmatic male dancers wearing masks. The music, performed and composed by the violinist Renaud Capuçon, carried the audience away into a magical, mysterious world. The event was attended by celebrities and friends of the Maison, such as Léa Seydoux and Ana de Armas. Botticelli’s Venus/Aphrodite was portrayed by dancer Breanna O’Mara who emerged gracefully from an iridescent shell. Subsequently, she was adorned with shimmering armour.
Deep Time represents an odyssey across the ages, narrated by the most extraordinary gemstones. This marks Maison’s fifth High Jewelry collection designed by Francesca Amfitheatrof, Louis Vuitton’s Artistic Director for Watches and Jewelry.
Fossils necklace
Deep Time embarks on a profound and ultimate journey, ranging from the origin of our planet to the very beginning of life. With this latest collection, Louis Vuitton’s distinctive and innovative design signature merges with the origins of geology and the enduring legacy that gemstones hold within the realm of jewelry. This new amazing High Jewelry collection is the largest so far, boasting over 170 unique pieces, including an impressive 95 in the inaugural chapter alone, along with an unprecedented array of precious stones.
“At Louis Vuitton, we are as ever adventurers, travelling to extraordinary, unexpected places” says Amfitheatrof. “Deep Time will transport you deeply into the past, to a time and place that is so remote and perhaps even difficult to comprehend. But at the same time, the stones – these treasures that span millennia – will bring you right there, to the beginning of the planet and into a history of the world and it’s mystical geological legacy.”
Deep Time is unveiled through two acts—geology and life—encompassing a total of 16 captivating themes. Each theme showcases meticulously crafted jewels that encapsulate the epic narrative of transformation, life and interconnection.
Plants necklace, bracelet, ring
Geology traces the extraordinary evolution of our planet, beginning with Gondwana, one of the two colossal landmasses that shaped our world’s formation. Gondwana features an exclusive selection of the rarest Colombian no-oil emeralds. Subsequently, Deep Time delves into various cataclysmic transformations represented by the Volcano, Wave, and Rupture themes, where the explosive forces spring to life through Maison’s distinct design language. The iconic Louis Vuitton V, evoking graphic strength, electrifies these one-of-a-kind jewels, while custom-cut LV stones radiate an innate power. The last chapter, Drift, embodies the sun and sea, paired with aquamarines and yellow sapphires, thus paving the way for Deep Time’s second act.
Plants necklace
The essence of life fuels creation and graphic elements give way to organic forms, beautifully embodied in an initial set of eight themes. From Origin and Fossils to Seeds and Flowers, these themes present a beguiling interplay and juxtaposition of textures, layers, and the most mesmerizing gemstones. The jewels are extremely versatile, with many designs intended for multiple wear styles—a testament to Amfitheatrof’s ongoing commitment to transformability over the past five years.
Rupture, bracelet, ring and ear cuff
Rupture necklace showcasing a trilogy of unusual gems – a riviera of 33 brilliant-cut zircons, 15 oval-cut opals of 32.77 carats and a triangle-cut yellow sapphire of 13.81 carats.
Wave necklace, the distinct V shape is designed by alternating small and large bands of pavé and baguette stones, which meet to hold a flawless 6.19-carat LV Monogram in flower-cut diamond suspending an oval 40.80-carat Sri Lankan sapphire
“We have this incredible ambition to find the most beautiful stones, which in Deep Time are all connected to a theme, whether formed from lava, hail from different continents or symbolise an idea,” says Amfitheatrof. “Deep time is a celebration of the past, but also the beauty of nature and the incredible fragility of life.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
Article edit by Laura Astrologo Porché
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