By Tallulah Bullock
This week sees the opening of Italian jewellery designer Delfina Delettrez’s new boutique in London. The shop, located at 109 Mount Street, is Delfina’s first outside of Italy. Choosing London as her first international venture, Delfina says: “London is a very important market, the most vibrant and alive at the moment, in my opinion. Carlos Place, just around the corner, is where many designers I respect are established, so it was a natural choice.”
More than just another retail opportunity, Delfina’s new boutique acts as a window into her mind. “I wanted to create a store that was like a jewellery box, where people can enter into my personal vision and universe,” she says. “A space in which clients can invest, not just in the physical pieces, but also in the concept.”
Delfina designed her bijou masterpiece in collaboration with Rafael de Cárdenas. The walls of the two-storey space spanning 650 square feet are covered with trompe l’oeil malachite, interspersed with Mongolian lamb fur-lined alcoves acting as display cabinets. An ode to her Italian heritage, the décor is set off with 1950s Ico Parisi furnishings, azure marble side tables and Giò Ponti lights.
Talking about the inspiration for the décor, Delfina says: “Trompe l’oeil and destabilisation are key themes in my work, which are reflected in the aesthetics of the boutique. Mirrors create the illusion of infinity tunnels, and floating display cases can be compared to my phantom settings.”
While the ground floor acts as a public room showcasing signature pieces of Delfina Delettrez jewellery, the lower level is a dedicated private lounge for limited edition and one-off sales. Unique pieces to the store include the Eye Kiss You necklace, which features Australian pearls with Delfina’s signature surreal eye and lip motif, as well as an evolution of her Dots ring. “I’ve been working a lot with white diamonds and pearls recently, I love the contrast – romantic, poetic and feminine, but also strong and resistant.”
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So what can we expect next from Delfina? “Field invasion! I like to create synergies between the different arts, and I’d love to start designing my own pieces of furniture for the boutique.”
The new Delfina Delettrez jewellery boutique is located at 109 Mount Street, London, W1.
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Delfina Delettrez pictured with Suzy Menkes at the opening of her new London boutique.
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Trilight pearl, topaz and diamond ring from the Delfina Delettrez jewellery collection.
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Delfina Delettrez collaborated with New York and London-based architect Rafael de Cárdenas to design her new London boutique.
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The walls of the boutique are lined in green mirrors, and elsewhere there is a mix of materials and textures including polished stainless steel, satin brass, fur and malachite green faux leather.
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Delfina Delettrez has a unique way of displaying her jewellery collection in her new London boutique, which has a contemporary cabinet de curiosité vibe.
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Jewellery designer Delfina Delettrez pictured at the opening of her new London boutique.
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Jewellery designer Delfina Delettrez pictured with Jefferson Hack at her boutique opening in London.
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Delfina Delettrez Eye Kiss You pearl necklace, exclusive to the new Mount Street boutique.
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White gold HANDroid ring from the Delfina Delettrez jewellery collection.
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Malachite, pearl and yellow sapphire Stone-Edge piercing earring from the Delfina Delettrez jewellery collection.
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Green Light ring from the Delfina Delettrez jewellery collection.
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Located at 109 Mount Street, Delfina Delettrez’s new London store comprises two floors and spans 650 square feet.
