Jewel box: Marika Chaumet defines Nirav Modi’s move into Mayfair

Having engaged Jaime Hayon to design boutiques in New Delhi and New York, Nirav Modi – the jewellery house established by the eponymous diamantaire – has commissioned the French luxury interior design specialist Atelier Marika Chaumet to create a decidedly feminine look for its first London outpost on Old Bond Street.

The sumptuous textured finishes preferred by Chaumet for the Modi boutique are a splendid example of her ability to distil the essence of fine watch and jewellery design in opulent materials and rare craftsmanship.

Modi’s own motif centres around diamond-design jewels that capture the deep-rooted jewellery traditions of India and infuse them with a Western-style sensibility. Sheeny mother-of-pearl finishes, frosted glass and brushed and polished metallics create the sense of richness that jewellery design at this level demands.

’Daisy Embrace’ bangles

Spread over 2,300 sq ft, the London boutique has 1,200 sq ft dedicated to retail. The dedicated client area is situated upstairs. The London flagship marks Nirav Modi’s seventh international boutique, with another due to open in Macau later this year (and further openings set for 2017).

Though Atelier Marika Chaumet takes a more retail-focused rather than experiential approach – they also created the plush environs of the Jaeger-LeCoultre atelier across the road – the practice has a canny knack for opening tricky, shadowy spaces up and creating a seemingly natural sense of light. The knock-on effect is that the boutique, which reaches over three floors, feels more spacious than it should, especially on ground level, where the space is dominated by an alluring glass-top bar and crystal lighting.