Are statement jewels replacing handbags?
Oscar-winner, former Armani ambassador and SK-II skincare spruiker Cate Blanchett has a knack for moving from one winning role to the next, having signed a deal with luxury label Louis Vuitton.
As the latest house ambassador for the French brand – joining Emma Stone, Chinese actor Zhou Dongyu and Bollywood star Deepika Padukone – Blanchett will promote Louis Vuitton’s rapidly growing jewellery division in a series of glossy advertisements released next month.
“I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to collaborate with Louis Vuitton – a truly iconic house with an enormous cultural reach,” Blanchett said in a press release. “To wear the magnificent pieces created by Francesca Amfitheatrof is a bedazzling pleasure.”
Blanchett is, as usual, on-trend. Statement jewels are replacing handbags when it comes to items coveted by those who know their Birkin bags from their Mimco wallets. LVMH, owners of Louis Vuitton and stablemate jewellery brands Tiffany & Co, Bulgari and Chaumet, reported 19 per cent organic revenue growth in its watches and jewellery division for the first quarter of 2022.
In May, LVMH rival Richemont, which owns Cartier, Buccellati and Van Cleef & Arpels, announced combined annual sales of €11 billion ($16.8 billion), an increase of 49 per cent from the previous year, for its jewellery division.
“The post-COVID world has altered the way in which consumers behave in many ways,” says Andrew McClaren, managing director of Bulgari Oceania. “Locally and abroad we are witnessing significant growth in Bulgari’s desirability creating impressive demand for our high jewellery.”
In May, the Italian jeweller brought its high jewellery collection to Australia for the first time, hosting VIP guests for private showings at the Swifts mansion in Darling Point, Sydney.
“Australian clients had a unique immersion into our brand in a private location supported by our jewellery director from Italy, allowing them the opportunity to experience the full pleasure Bulgari offers,” McClaren says.
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