An illuminated sign (a rarity on New Bond Street) marks the spot of De Grisogono’s new flagship. All shiny black with gold lettering, its façade doesn’t differ greatly from the Swiss jewellers' other stores (and there are 15 worldwide) but inside tells a different story. A ‘heritage’ look (think trad hotel meets Italian frescoes) has been replaced by the modern brush strokes of David Collins Studio.
‘De Grisogono was founded in 1993, so there was no genuine heritage to draw upon,’ explains Lewis Taylor, design director of retail at David Collins Studio. Instead, Taylor turned to the house’s watches and jewellery for inspiration. De Grisogono first found fame with its cloudy and black diamonds; hence, a dark palette of brown faceted marquetry (referencing the faces of men’s watches) and a black marble floor. This is designed in a pear drop pattern that references the Briolette cut, first used in the 12th century and a De Grisogono signature. Interlaced bronze detailing refers to the jeweller’s ever-popular 'Allegra' bracelet, and throughout the 130 sq m space, gemstone-bright red, amethyst and green pops up unexpectedly on furniture and upholstery.
The ‘Stanza del Tempo’ room is dedicated to (mainly men’s) watches and David Collins Studio is working with a Bond Street gallery to curate ever-changing artworks within the space. (It does this successfully with Sadie Coles gallery in its Alexander McQueen stores.)
A modern and luxurious drawing room, in the form of a ‘Grand Sala’, hosts royal and loyal customers and their entourages. Fawaz Gruosi, De Grisogono’s larger-than-life founder insists on such a space in all his stores. It’s where 75 per cent of deals are done and where Gruosi likes to settle down on the sofa, light a cigar and discuss high jewellery commissions in all their glittering detail.
Located on Bond Street, the black, shiny façade doesn't differ greatly from De Grisogono's other outposts
Inside, David Collins Studio has turned to the house’s watches and jewellery for inspiration – hence a dark palette of brown faceted marquetry and a black marble floor
A modern and luxurious drawing room, in the form of a ‘Grand Sala’, hosts royal and loyal customers and their entourages
INFORMATION
For more information, visit De Grisogono’s website
ADDRESS
De Grisogno
15A New Bond Street
London, W1S 3SX
-
Ora-ïto transforms the Renault 17 into a futuristic yet retro-tinged visionThe R17 electric restomod x Ora-ïto is the fourth in Renault's series of designer-led reimaginings of iconic models from its past. We think it's the best of the lot
-
First Look: a domestic idyll by Lucy Stark and Fabien Cappello at the Blunk SpaceInspired by the life and times at JB Blunk's haven of a house in Inverness, a new exhibition of paintings and objects has us dreaming of California
-
Food writer, Tamar Adler on her perfect restaurant experienceGuest editor Laila Gohar has asked friends and creatives to share their perfect restaurant experience. Here, chef and food writer, Tamar Adler recounts a momentous meal for a happy occasion
-
Late summer jewels: what to wear at Golden HourLate summer signals a jewellery style-shift. These independent designers have got it covered
-
Self-Portrait launches first jewellery collectionSelf-Portrait rethinks traditional motifs in its first jewellery collection, turning the feminine flounces of the bow into chic, contemporary pieces
-
All smiles: How a grillz jewellery making class in London became an international hitWhat started as a passion project quickly exploded in popularity. We get the story behind the grillz-making workshop at Cockpit London
-
Seiko shines a light on conceptual Japanese watch designSeiko’s Power Design Project 2024 at Japan House London explores watchmaking potential with seven ‘incredibly specialised watches’
-
Van Cleef & Arpels' immersive London exhibition takes visitors inside the watchmaking worldVan Cleef & Arpels’ exhibition, ‘Poetry of Time’, at South Kensington’s Cromwell Place gallery, traces the early days of the maison
-
Emerging jewellery designers to get to knowThese independent, new and emerging jewellery designers and brands from New York to Paris are firmly on our radar
-
Michèle Lamy and Loree Rodkin’s zodiac jewellery is on show at Carpenters Workshop GalleryMichèle Lamy and Loree Rodkin’s zodiac jewellery, ‘HunRod Gold’, is at Carpenters Workshop Gallery, London, alongside furniture by Rick Owens
-
Bulgari welcomes BAFTA 2024 with a London show of its era-spanning film-star jewelleryFor BAFTA 2024, Bulgari spotlights its rich cinematic connections in a jewellery exhibition at its Bond Street store
