Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images, courtesy of www.bernardaud.fr
What a great way to show off Bernardaud’s latest Limoges porcelain! We hadn’t previously associated Limoges with a great Jewelry collection, but that changed after our visit to the beautiful Manhattan Penthouse. Up in 12A we admired the multicolored enamel-looking ONE SHAPE collection by MARIE-CHRISTINE DORNER. While we’re fans of color, TAHER CHEMIRIK’S black and white OXYGENE Collection nonetheless took us in. We’ve been into enamel lately, and on a sixties retro trend in general, but both of these collections designed for Bernardaud are a step up from mere enamel.
Bernardaud’s NY Director of Public Relations, CLAUDETTE BLACKWOOD, explained a few things about Bernardaud.
THE HISTORY
Bernardaud is 145 years old, and is family owned and operated out of Limoges, France.
To this day, the family’s passion remains Limoges porcelain.
They don’t just make table settings, decorative pieces, and lighting fixtures, and to our surprise they make jewelry.
Although the focus of the breakfast presentation we attended was on the jewelry, we couldn’t resist showing a few pieces of Bernardaud’s gorgeous porcelain dinner wear and are all-time favorite – “the Marie Antoinette service”.
ARTIST GUEST DESIGNERS
Bernardaud keeps their collections fresh by selecting artists as guest designers to come and reside in Limoges while they are designing a collection in collaboration with the company. The program has been in force since 2003.
Spring/Summer 2008 features pieces crafted by MARIE-CHRISTINE DORNER and TAHER CHEMIRIK
ABOUT MARIE-CHRISTINE DORNER
This London based designer and interior decorator creates furniture, objects d’art and public spaces. Her focus for this collection was the concept of “One Form.” She demonstrates her perfectionism by concentrating on a universal form: two flat lines, two curved lines and an empty space provide the basic construction elements for all objects that surround us.
The collection offers piece in 2 widths, 5 patterns, and 10 colours and make for some stunning summer fashion accessories.
Pricing: Rings, from @ $105 - $145
To see more of Ms. Dorner’s work, visit her official website
www.dorner-design.com
ABOUT TAHER CHEMIRIK
This renowned silversmith is known for his creations that are recognizable thanks to their sculptural integrity, density and the clarity and purity of their minimal lines.
“I love working with these materials, especially when I have to find a balance between several materials, like this seductive porcelain combined here with precious metal…”
Taher designs Oxygen for Bernardaud: a sleekly contemporary fine fashion accessory, which he expanded this season with three new pieces that combine porcelain and sterling silver.
Pricing: Ring, $315, Long necklace: $1,275
To see more of Mr. Chemirik’s work visit his official website
www.monsieurt-taherchemirik.net
ENDNOTES
We left with our own little souvenir from the latest collection, an exquisite pair of earrings. They are a perfect match to the ONE SHAPE ring. As the rings retail for a reasonable $125, we may just make a set of it!
WHERE TO FIND BERNARDAUD PRODUCTS
You’ve probably already seen more than a few already. They’re carried in the top 4 star hotels and restaurants, worldwide.
For more information on Bernardaud, please visit the official website
www.bernardaud.fr