The latest haute bijouterie collection from Hermès (Instagram), designed by the creative genius Pierre Hardy, is a vibrant celebration of colour, shape, and craftsmanship. This collection, described by Hardy as a journey through colour and an exploration of volumes and materials, offers a unique and eclectic array of pieces that embody the timeless elegance and innovation for which Hermès is renowned.
The new collection is an artistic odyssey, where each chapter tells a story through a harmonious blend of colours and geometric shapes. Hardy’s vision was to express the fundamental phenomenon of colour at Hermès, building an identity that is both strong and independent.
“This collection expresses colour in shapes. I wanted to find a way to express this fundamental phenomenon – of colour, at Hermès – and build a strong, autonomous and independent identity,” says Hardy.
The chapter “Portraits de la Couleur” features rings that juxtapose colours and shapes in unexpected ways, such as the red square of a ruby or the blue circle of a sapphire. Each piece is a sophisticated structure that surprises and delights.
In “Fresh Paint”, the illusion of painting with stones is masterfully conveyed. Precious and semi-precious stones are meticulously set to create deep, nuanced arabesques of colour, giving an impression of movement and texture that forms a stunning visual mirage.
The “Arc en Couleurs” chapter presents supple, undulating shapes that mould to the body’s curves, inviting reverie with their soft colours. The articulated bracelets and necklaces, made with nearly 1,400 stones, showcase Hermès’ technical prowess in mesh work.
“Hermès Diaprés” features pieces with centre stones like emerald-cut white diamonds and sapphires that radiate a soft, coloured light. The brilliance of these stones illuminates the architectural motifs, enhanced by iridescent mother-of-pearl and baguette-cut coloured stones.
In “Supracolor”, the diffraction of light waves is captured in hypnotic, architectural pieces, including a one-off necklace set with rutilated quartz and a dazzling triangle-cut diamond, illustrating the movement from black to white and the emergence of rays of colour.
“Les Formes de la Couleur” chapter is a daring exploration of contradictions and surprises. The “Color Vibes” collection pairs rounded, asymmetrical shapes with classically cut precious stones, while “Color Flash” features highly geometric pieces pavé-set with brightly coloured stones, resembling pixelated digital images.
Of the collection overall, Hardy had this to say, “Hermès has a rich colour library, and this collection marks the first time such a wide variety of stones has been used in haute bijouterie. We’ve explored both precious and semi-precious stones to create subtle gradients and a broad palette, transforming sketches into three-dimensional masterpieces.”
Hardy’s haute bijouterie collection for Hermès is at once a showcase of exceptional craftsmanship and a tribute to the diversity and richness of colour. Each piece is a testament to the brand’s heritage and its commitment to innovation and beauty.
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