FLOWER POWER

On the 130th anniversary of Louis Vuitton’s iconic monogram, the French house updates its Color Blossom fine jewellery with the midnight mystery of sodalite and the brilliant light of diamond pavé.

- Words: ANANDHI GOPINATH

Few symbols in our contemporary cultural lexicon carry the sheer, unadulterated weight of the Louis Vuitton Monogram.

Conceived in 1896 by Georges Vuitton as a loving tribute to his father, the geometric layout of the sun and star flowers was originally informed by the eclectic artistic undercurrents of the late 19th century—namely, Neo-Gothic ornamentation and the pristine minimalism of Japanism. For 130 years, this iconic canvas has acted as a universal alphabet of luxury, effortlessly shifting from the robust corners of transatlantic steamer trunks to the fluid lines of contemporary ready-to-wear.

Yet, the true test of an icon lies in its ability to adapt without losing its soul. In 2015, the French maison achieved this delicate balance by translating the historic motif into the realm of fine jewellery with the debut of the Color Blossom collection. It was a graceful, versatile universe that swapped the rigid architecture of canvas for the tactile, organic poetry of hand-carved hard stones. Today, on the momentous 130th anniversary of the Monogram, Louis Vuitton expands this signature repertoire with a dazzling collection of 28 new pieces that balance high-jewellery savoir-faire with an undeniably modern attitude towards self-styling.

THE MYSTERY OF SODALITE