Blog

ALL

ART

FASHION
PHOTOGRAPHY

life & culture

Jewelry from another epoque

FASHION

Jewelry from another epoque

Photo credit: Cécile Chevalier

Text: Valeriia Buklina

08/11/22

SHARE THE ARTICLE

SUBSCRIBE

Photo credit: Cécile Chevalier


Text: Valeriia Buklina

08/11/22

 

 

SHARE ARTICLE

Cécile Chevalier, a creator of a French luxury costume jewelry house which presents collections fully produced in France. Her works are inspired by her family and passion to elegance.

You are the creator of a jewelry brand. What motivated you to do it?

I created my brand after a retraining and a forced return to my field of jewelry after the COVID-19. I found that the things that had pushed me to retrain were amplified, namely relocation, and accelerated production at the expense of quality. So I said to myself: “Listen, you have been in it for 20 years, you have been involved in collections, development and productions, so instead of complaining, do it!”

What are the features of your jewelries?

Everything is handmade, everything is created and manufactured in Paris, and with French components.
I insist on these 2 points, because today, the “Made in France” label, or “Made in Paris”, is attributed to brands that do not manufacture entirely in France, and use foreign components.

You have a small factory where you manufacture products?

Yes, I have a small workshop at home. I sculpt my models in plasticine, I make my montages, the enamel, and the gold or silver touch-ups. I work with a foundry, and a welder, and an electroplator and a quality assembly company, which I trust.

You said that all the components of the jewelry are French. Do you think this is the way to support the French market?

It does not only support the French market, but it is a sign of quality. For years, large groups have been pulling prices from their French craftsmen and looking for components and manufacturing elsewhere to to reduce the cost price at the expense of quality. For example, today it is difficult to find jewelry with glass paste. It’s a pity, it gives shine and finesse. Other professions have disappeared because of the lure of gain. French labor is too expensive… As a craftswoman, I cannot adhere to this system. We must re-educate the buyers, who consume excessively. Perhaps this is my “old France” mindset, which believes in the value of things, that we keep and that we transmit.

Why are each of your collections named after a woman? Are these people significant to you?

For this Collection, my first idea was to be inspired by the shapes and facets of old mirrors, which I collect. The most beautiful ones were given to me by my paternal grandmother. She herself, has always been a woman like I dreamed of becoming: elegant, in all circumstances. For another theme, which I wanted to make in floral and Art Nouveau style, I was inspired by a lamp that my maternal grandmother had given me. The idea of it was : the mirrors, so that the women of today look at themselves and take care of themselves, instead of looking and imitating others, and the women who made me the way who I am today. So my mom naturally completed this first collection.

For me, you are a lady from another era. You are different, very sophisticated and brilliant. Do you feel that you are different?

No, I do not feel myself different. By the looks of others sometimes, but I just feel like I am being honest with myself. What I see most on women does not fit me, so I just wear things that I like, that fit me and which are comfortable on a daily basis. But I live in my time, I observe, and I am very sensitive to all the crafts and their evolution. The work is exciting, beautiful and endless. I never get tired of it, and I am very admiring of the artisans with whom I work, or who I meet.

Do you think that fashion should return to the trends of the beginning of the last century?

Not necessarily, but it is true that I am often very disappointed with what I can find in today’s fashion. Everything is going too fast. Everything is being done quickly and to excess. It is necessary to flood the market and stimulate the act of purchase. Relocation has become unavoidable. Result: everything looks the same. I find the shapes and the design from the 1900s to the 1950s aesthetically beautiful. Beyond innovation, the creations were also designed to be elegant. Research should not forget about beauty, which I think we lack today. We have a lot of craftsmen in France, we must trust them.

Does today's woman miss something important?

To be elegant, on a daily basis. It is a form of politeness and respect, above all for yourself.

What can you say about the connection between fashion and art?

This is a vast topic. For me, it is a bit related indeed, because a craftsman can create art and, therefore, a fashion. The reverse is not necessarily true. Today fashion is synonymous with consumption. We do not have time to think anymore! I found a lot more elegance and symbolism in magazines when I was younger. Today, everything is vulgar and looks the same. For me, a project is successful when it seems simple, even though it took hours of work to achieve this visual simplicity. We can also say that fashion today is a movement and art remains and will always remain art.

COMMENT

LEAVE A COMMENT

Actually, this article could
be in your email

Featured materials from FOXYLAB MAGAZINE
are available in our newsletters.
Subscribe and get a dose of inspiration!

SHARE THE ARTICLE

more articles

fashion

ines De La Fressange, supermodel & designer, her relationships with Roger Vivier and creating trends

International fashion icon and symbol of Parisian style, Ines de la Fressange is one of the most famous women in France. 

INIMITABLE MINIATURES BY SALAVAT FIDAI (2)

ART

Inimitable miniatures by Salavat Fidai: “My art is a challenge to myself and my abilities…”

A whole world on the tip of a pencil. The story of an artist who proved that true art has no limits and that it is never too late to start all over again.

ART

A journey into the captivating surreal world of Vitalie Burcovschi (Surrealistly)

Vitalie Burcovschi’s digital art captivates the soul and transports the viewer to a realm of boundless imagination and emotion. In his art, he creates…

life & culture

The art of the hidden and the manifest in the masks of Anastasia Pilepchuk

Anastasia Pilepchuk is a Berlin-based artist with Buryat roots. She creates masks and face jewellery inspired by the nature and the culture of her beautiful region.

View more

logo form

want to share your story
with the world?

We're open to collaborating with creative and talented individuals like you. Leave us your email below, and let's connect for interviews, articles, and more.

don’t miss!

New drop
foxylab ny x Edward Acosta

New drop FXLB x Edward Acosta

A thin edge of seduction and the consumerism fetish is thoroughly blurred in Acosta’s art in the use of both light, and dark tones. Bold lines serve as a fashionable juxtaposition of a peaceful dream-like state and a vivid color, representing action and presence in the moment.

AWAKEN

WHITE FLEECE DRESS

$320

AWAKEN

WHITE TEE AWAKEN

$180

AWAKEN

FLEECE PULLOVER

$260

AWAKEN

BLACK OVERSIZED TEE

$160

black tee awaken

AWAKEN

OVERSIZED BLACK TEE

$160

white pullover dress awaken

AWAKEN

WHITE FLEECE DRESS

$230

AWAKEN

BLACK FLEECE DRESS

$230

black fleece pullover awaken

AWAKEN

BLACK FLEECE PULLOVER

$260

white tee awaken

AWAKEN

WHITE TEE

$160

READ MORE ARTICLES

fashion

ines De La Fressange, supermodel & designer, her relationships with Roger Vivier and creating trends

International fashion icon and symbol of Parisian style, Ines de la Fressange is one of the most famous women in France.

INIMITABLE MINIATURES BY SALAVAT FIDAI (2)

ART

Inimitable miniatures by Salavat Fidai: “My art is a challenge to myself and my abilities…”

A whole world on the tip of a pencil. The story of an artist who proved that true art has no limits and that it is never too late to start all over again.

ART

A journey into the captivating surreal world of Vitalie Burcovschi (Surrealistly)

Vitalie Burcovschi’s digital art captivates the soul and transports the viewer to a realm of boundless imagination and emotion. In his art, he creates…

life & culture

The art of the hidden and the manifest in the masks of Anastasia Pilepchuk

Anastasia Pilepchuk is a Berlin-based artist with Buryat roots. She creates masks and face jewellery inspired by the nature and the culture of her beautiful region.