Victoire de Castellane

At 24 years old, Victoire de Castellane became an assistant to Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel’s offices in Paris. Lagerfeld was in the midst of reimagining the somewhat dusty brand in the wake of Coco Chanel’s death, and was taken with de Castellane’s bold aesthetic and playful approach to design. Soon, she was leading Chanel’s costume […]

7 of 10

Victoire de Castellane design

Victoire de Castellane design

Victoire de Castellane design

Victoire de Castellane design

At 24 years old, Victoire de Castellane became an assistant to Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel’s offices in Paris. Lagerfeld was in the midst of reimagining the somewhat dusty brand in the wake of Coco Chanel’s death, and was taken with de Castellane’s bold aesthetic and playful approach to design. Soon, she was leading Chanel’s costume jewelry department into an era of vibrancy and energetic ingenuity. Among her more memorable creations were earrings made to resemble iconic Chanel handbags and ostentatiously large pearl string necklaces. In 1998, after more than a decade at Chanel, de Castellane was named creative director of Dior’s fine jewelry division, where she continues to garner attention and admiration for her fluid, fabric-like designs in the Soie Dior collection; the ultra-colorful clusters of precious gems in the Cher Dior line; and the elaborate, romantic rose carvings for Rose Dior Bagatelle. As her 19th year at Dior approaches, one can only imagine what Madame de Castellane will conjure up next. (dior.com)