THE ALCHEMIST

Artistic Director for Watches and Jewellery at Louis Vuitton, Francesca Amfitheatrof, talks to Grazia about her creative process, building the codes of the house into her inspirational collections, and her fascinating new book, Fantastical Jewels

- MEHERNAAZ DHONDY

In her five years at Louis Vuitton [as Artistic Director for Watches and Jewellery], Francesca Amfitheatrof’s artistic prowess of injecting modernity along with her unique perspective to the ancient art of jewellery design has led to the creation of many a revolutionary collection for the house. Her recently released book, Fantastical Jewels, delves into the details of four such collections and, in her own words, is an open, transparent, and a generous expression of how Amfitheatrof works.

Grazia: As a woman, what is the relationship you share with jewellery? Does it carry any emotional resonance with you?

Francesca Amfitheatrof: As a woman, I have a strong affinity with wearing jewellery and feeling it on me, it is a physical and emotional connection. Even though today many more men are wearing jewellery and high jewellery.

G: Where did you draw your early inspirations from?

FA: Really my starting point is a strong magnetic pull towards a concept that unveils itself to me in my mind, once I choose to commit to that one concept the research starts, and I dive into it so that I can expand my world.

Having grown up all over the world, I have a very multicultural identity that allows me to always be very open-minded to world cultures and history.