T
hroughout her collection, founder of Violette Joaillerie, Violette Basentsyan, illustrates her deep connection to the sea and her ongoing love affair with the coastal charm of Marseille. In her work, worlds and cultures collide in beautiful, sophisticated harmony. The blend of disciplines employed in her work and the diversity of inspirations that fuel her designs are a statement of her singular worldview. She makes pieces that can profoundly connect with the wearer. Her discovery of her craft is indelibly tied to her pursuit of authentic self-expression, and she infuses her designs with her unyielding passion for adventure and an insatiable curiosity.
Violette discovered that by collaborating with master stone cutters in Jaipur and skilled artisans in Marseille, she was able to juxtapose a western sensibility with traditional craftsmanship of Jaipur in expressions of her individuality.
Image courtesy of Violette Joaillerie
Violette’s background working for the French Naval Defense, and the many days she spent at the Cercle des Nageurs de Marseille, a venerable institution overlooking the Mediterranean shores, sparked in her imagination the colorful adventures at play in the underwater world. “At the club, you’re met with a grand Olympic-sized pool with the vast expanse of ocean stretching beyond it,” the designer enthused. “It’s a sea of blue, captivating in its sheer magnitude, yet it’s the mysteries concealed beneath the surface that truly captivate me.”
Image courtesy of Violette Joaillerie
Following a career in the corporate world, Violette was increasingly drawn towards jewelry design as a means of self-expression, and her innate creativity compelled her to bring to life in tactile form the magical world she envisioned under the sea. Yet it was a serendipitous trip to Jaipur that became the seminal moment in her trajectory. Surrounded by a kaleidoscope of color in the gemstone capital of the world, she was also entranced by the intricate carving techniques, and she was enraptured by the vibrant hues and rich cultural tapestry.
Image courtesy of Violette Joaillerie
Violette discovered that by collaborating with master stone cutters in Jaipur and skilled artisans in Marseille, she was able to juxtapose a western sensibility with traditional craftsmanship of Jaipur in expressions of her individuality. Her pieces are whimsical and colorful, while also showcasing a refinement through exceptional engineering and artisanal acumen. Sourcing the featured stones in her work in Jaipur, India, Violette works with expert artisans who individually sculpt each piece by hand into whimsical interpretations of aquatic themes, before they are adeptly set in Marseille.
Image courtesy of Violette Joaillerie
Making her COUTURE debut, Violette will be showcasing the brand’s inaugural collection, Oceanic Splendour, which features colorful fish, playful seahorses, alluring octopuses and charming shells. Just like the creatures that inspired them, each piece is one-of-a-kind and reflects the uniqueness and beauty of the sea, establishing a new definition of elegance and refinement.
Image courtesy of Violette Joaillerie
Image courtesy of Violette Joaillerie
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