rtistic Director of Jewelry and Watches for Louis Vuitton, Francesca Amfitheatrof brings a fresh perspective to the ancient art of jewelry design, creating revolutionary collections for the Maison. Her alchemical creative journey is meticulously detailed in a new book, with a foreword by the multiple award-winning actress, Cate Blanchett.
This book offers an enthralling glimpse into four of these extraordinary jewelry collections, meticulously detailing the alchemical journey from raw materials and inspiration to the refined jewel. Written in a journal-like style and adorned with exclusive sketches, gouaches, collages, and personal photographs, this book showcases how Amfitheatrof and Louis Vuitton have breathed modernity into the time-honored craft of jewelry making.
It unveils the seamless alignment of Amfitheatrof’s personal odyssey and creative ingenuity with the pioneering and visionary spirit of Louis Vuitton, a brand deeply rooted in luggage and travel. Collaborating with acclaimed art director Fabien Baron, Amfitheatrof has masterfully created a strikingly personal volume that mirrors her unique artistic prowess, encapsulated within an unparalleled and luxurious package, featuring a ribbon-tie closure and vellum inserts.
Francesca Amfitheatrof holds the position of Artistic Director of Jewelry and Watches at Louis Vuitton - the inaugural individual to be bestowed with this title within the fashion house. Prior to her tenure at Louis Vuitton, she held the prestigious position of the first-ever female Design Director at Tiffany & Co. from 2014 to 2018 and contributed her design expertise to renowned brands including Marni, Fendi, and Chanel.
Stefania Amfitheatrof is a New York-based multilingual luxury and branding specialist, focusing on crafting compelling narratives. She is currently working on her debut novel.
Cate Blanchett is a two-time Academy Award-winning actress. She recently clinched a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her role in “Tár” (2022).
Since 1854, Louis Vuitton has brought unique designs to the world, combining innovation with style, always aiming for the finest quality and preserving biodiversity. Today, the House remains faithful to the spirit of its founder, Louis Vuitton, who invented a genuine “Art of Travel” through luggage, bags and accessories which were as creative as they were elegant and practical. Since then, audacity has shaped the story of Louis Vuitton. Faithful to its heritage, Louis Vuitton has opened its doors to architects, artists and designers across the years, all the while developing disciplines such as ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories, watches, jewellery, and fragrance. These carefully created products are testament to Louis Vuitton’s commitment to fine craftsmanship.
Rizzoli New York joined such prestigious American institutions as Tiffany’s, Saks, and Cartier when it first opened the Rizzoli Bookstore on Fifth Avenue in 1964. In the following years, its landmark building in New York became the center for the company’s national expansion, adding new bookstores throughout the country and, a decade later, establishing an eminent publishing house renowned today for high-quality, illustrated books. Rizzoli New York began its publishing operation in 1974 and has become a leader in the fashion, interior design, culinary, art, architecture, and photography fields.
The Universe imprint - rebranded as Rizzoli Universe - was added in 1990, marking Rizzoli’s entrée into the pop-culture worlds of humor, beauty, sports, performing arts, and gay and alternative lifestyles, as well as a highly successful calendar program. In 2011, Rizzoli established Ex Libris, an imprint dedicated to publishing up-market literary fiction and nonfiction with a transatlantic character. Starting in January 2018, Rizzoli produces its museum and exhibitions publishing under the new imprint Rizzoli Electa, in collaboration with leading Italian book publisher and sister company Mondadori Electa.
In the United States, Canada, and Latin America, Rizzoli International Publications distributes the English-Language titles of French publisher Flammarion, as well as British publisher Batsford (with its imprint Pitkin). Rizzoli International Publications distributes Australian publisher Smith Street Books in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Asia. Rizzoli International Publications also distributes worldwide the English-Language titles of distinguished Italian publisher and sister company Mondadori Electa and of America’s Gagosian Gallery, Acquavella Galleries, and Tourbillon International.
In addition to the publishing house, the company maintains the Rizzoli Bookstore - widely considered one of the foremost independent booksellers in America - which specializes in literature, photography, architecture, interior design, culinary, and the fine and applied arts. The bookstore also stocks a selection of Italian, French and Spanish-language fiction and non-fiction literature, a unique find in New York City.
Fantastical Jewels by Francesca Amfitheatrof
- Text by Stefania Amfitheatrof
- Foreword by Cate Blanchett
- Rizzoli New York
- Publication date: 26th of September
