Text: Erika Heet
Photography: Courtesy Tiffany & Co.
Published as:
Vision & Virtuosity
Tiffany & Co. has just launched its “Vision & Virtuosity” exhibition, showcasing more than 400 objects from the House’s archives, at London’s Saatchi Gallery. The show is a visual chronicle of the storied jeweler since its founding in New York City in 1837, divided into seven distinct “chapters” that take visitors on a journey through Tiffany & Co.’s most influential and precious history. The journey begins with Tiffany windows, masterfully designed by artistic director Gene Moore for the Fifth Avenue New York flagship store, including one from 1967. It then moves to The World of Tiffany & Co., celebrating its unmistakable brand identity, before moving to high jewelry, by such legendary designers as Elsa Peretti, who designed the Scorpion necklace, photographed on model Christy Turlington in 1987 by Sheila Metzner for British Vogue. The exhibition then flows through Tiffany Love, showing off its engagement masterpieces, and on to ephemera from the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, including Audrey Hepburn’s original script with handwritten notes. Then come the pièces de résistance: two chapters dedicated to diamonds, including the Tiffany diamond itself, a 128.54-carat cushion-cut brilliant on a necklace set with over 100 carats of diamonds.
“‘Vision & Virtuosity’ tells the extraordinary story of one of the oldest luxury jewelers, through its nearly 200-year history of pioneering creativity, legendary craftsmanship and sourcing of the world’s most extraordinary diamonds and gemstones,” says Anthony Ledru, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tiffany & Co. “This exhibition perfectly captures our longstanding heritage in bridging tradition and modernity. We are thrilled to share the world of Tiffany & Co. and our unique high jewelry style with London.” An accompanying exhibition catalogue, with a foreword by the late Andre Leon Talley and text by Vivienne Becker, presents the exhibition’s highlights, with creations by everyone from Louis Comfort Tiffany and Gene Moore to Peretti, Jean Schlumberger, Paloma Picasso, John Loring and the House’s cast of visionaries. “Since its inception, Tiffany & Co. has held a unique position within culture,” notes Alexandre Arnault, Executive Vice President, Product & Communications, Tiffany & Co. “‘Vision & Virtuosity’ celebrates the House’s most defining moments, showcases the incredible collection of archives and exemplifies why Tiffany & Co. is such an iconic brand.” Vision & Virtuosity, June 10–August 19, Saatchi Gallery. Tiffany & Co., tiffany.com; Saatchi Gallery, saatchigallery.com
