Where New Radiance is Born: "SALON de CHAUMET" | CHAUMET
Watch & Jewelry
September 28, 2016

Where New Radiance is Born: "SALON de CHAUMET" | CHAUMET



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CHAUMET


Where New Radiance is Born: "SALON de CHAUMET"


"Salon" is French for "drawing room." It originated in the early 17th century when aristocrats would invite artists and intellectuals to their residences to foster mutual inspiration and creativity. Napoleon's Empress Joséphine, one of CHAUMET's earliest patrons, also hosted many salons, giving rise to new cultural movements. Born in Martinique in the Caribbean, she was a woman of refined and bright creativity. Inheriting Joséphine's spirit, "SALON de CHAUMET" is held in Tokyo. The first theme is "Savoir-faire (craftsmanship)." Creators, each shining in their own field, have gathered.

With 236 years of tradition and expertise, CHAUMET has created jewelry that captivates artists such as painters, sculptors, and actors. The creations, inheriting the craftsmanship of the Maison's founder, Marie-Étienne Nitot, who was full of creativity and innovation, continue to inspire many people today.

Photographs by JamandfixText by Mariko Ogata









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Mai Mukaida

President of Lalitpur Co., Ltd. Visited Nepal during high school and participated in an NGO that provides literacy education for women. Started the Coffret project in 2009. Launched Lalitpur, a natural cosmetic brand from Nepal, in 2013. Received the AVON Women of the Year Award, the Sotokotolohas Design Award Grand Prize in the Human category, and the 4th Youth Leader Award, among others. http://lalitpur.jp/





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Yuuna Okanishi
Calligrapher and artist. Became serious about calligraphy at age seven. Studied under Tōshunkō and obtained a teaching license during high school. Studied ink wash painting under Gyokusai Sekizawa. Has received numerous domestic and international awards, including the Rose de Monaco Award at the 9th Monaco-Japan Art Festival 2015, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the enthronement of H.S.H. Prince Albert II. Volunteers to run calligraphy classes for elementary school students. Scheduled to hold a solo exhibition in Paris this summer. http://okanishi-yuuna.com/jp/index.php





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Koichi Futatsumata
Space and product designer. Born in Kagoshima in 1975. Principal of both "CASE-REAL" and "KOICHI FUTATSUMATA STUDIO." Based in Fukuoka and Tokyo, he handles a wide range of designs, including interiors, architecture, furniture, and products, both domestically and internationally. Has received numerous awards, including the JCD Design Award Gold Prize (2016), Domusweb Best of #Japan (2016), and Wallpaper Design Award Best Domestic Design (2014). Some of his works are part of the permanent collection at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
http://www.casereal.com







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Masataka Hosoo
Managing Director of Hosoo Corporation. Born into the prestigious Hosoo family of Nishijin weaving in 1978. Involved in new business development since 2009. Developed fabrics based on obi techniques and materials for overseas markets, which were used in Dior and Chanel stores designed by architect Peter Marino. Actively involved in domestic and international activities as a member of "GO ON," a project by young successors of traditional crafts. http://www.hosoo-kyoto.com





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Kaie Murakami
Born in 1974. Creative Director.
At Miyake Design Studio, he worked on clothing, advertising design, and various brand strategies. In 2003, he founded the branding agency "SIMONE INC." He provides practical creative consulting and business development for numerous domestic and international companies, including national brands like Shiseido and Mitsukoshi Isetan, focusing on three axes: "technology," "design," and "marketing." www.ilovesimone.com






Nature is the most beautiful. This is at the core of Chaumet's philosophy of creation. To emulate nature by human hands requires the utmost care and skill to achieve delicate curves even in small stones.


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Kaie Murakami (hereinafter Murakami)It's wonderful how it embodies cultural richness, born not just from the technical precision of artisans, but also from the fusion of artistic perspectives like naturalism.

Mai Mukaida (hereinafter Mukaida)Savoir-faire itself "embodies a narrative." This can also be seen as the role of savoir-faire in the current era.

Yuuna Okanishi (hereinafter Okanishi)In today's age of advanced machinery, conveying things through emotional nuance is very difficult. Just as a handwritten letter carries more emotion than an email because it contains the sender's soul. In terms of conveying emotion, I believe it's time to return to the "origins" of "technique."

The savoir-faire required for jewelry has evolved with technological advancements, from candlelight to gaslight to electric light. As interiors became brighter, it became important to make jewelry's sparkle travel further. Artisans' skills were honed to bring out that brilliance.

Masataka Hosoo (hereinafter Hosoo)To continuously challenge and change. That is what later becomes tradition. Nishijin weaving has a similar feel. There is a mission to nurture artisans and pass on the craft. On the other hand, there are future possibilities in the encounter of seemingly contradictory technologies, such as using biotechnology to incorporate spider DNA into silkworms to create silk stronger than leather. The strength of tradition lies in its ability to incorporate the cutting edge without breaking, and I believe that what continuously changes by embracing new things will ultimately survive.


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MurakamiBrands tend to focus on preserving tradition, but the brands that have lasted the longest are characterized by a continuous series of innovations and by doing incredibly avant-garde things. Even if they were considered crazy at the time, after 50 or 100 years, it becomes the standard.

Koichi Futatsumata (hereinafter Futatsumata)Along with the development of cutting-edge technology, human analog senses and methods are becoming increasingly necessary. They exist as proof of humanity and culture in craftsmanship. I aim to express a new richness of human analog sensibility.


Truly beautiful things do not stand out. If they stand out, they cast a shadow. Truly beautiful things possess beauty in their unseen details, and Chaumet embodies a savoir-faire that resonates with the Japanese appreciation of shadow and light.

OkanishiMy sumi-e paintings also aim to create works where the "technique" is not visible. When I hold the brush, my ego wanting to appear skillful emerges. Black and white are the most flamboyant colors, so I depict them as existing in a state of mutual support and yielding.

FutatsumataI am impressed by the uncompromisingly meticulous processes and craftsmanship in unseen areas, such as the reverse side of a ring's motif, which are often overlooked. It feels as though spiritual luxury and motivation are concentrated in those details.

MurakamiChaumet's jewelry, particularly its tiaras, has succeeded in elegantly enhancing the wearer's connection with the body, functioning as trendsetters of their time. I felt they are a cultural heritage symbolizing the era's excellence, both artistically and fashionably.



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MukaidaWhen considering what true luxury is, if we look at "unseen perspectives" such as being able to cherish loved ones, express love, or how open-hearted one is, then the Nepalese people I work with are living luxurious lives. Whether something is accepted by people living today depends on the social stance of those who create it. My generation is conscious of purchasing a company's attitude.

HosooIn a society where technology is evolving at high speed, pursuing beauty with humanity while respecting history. I feel that hints for contributing to a sustainable society can be found there.


Nature is the most beautiful. However, the most beautiful thing that human hands can create is our jewelry. Chaumet has spent 236 years expressing this conviction through its designs and allure. The savoir-faire that breathes life into Chaumet's aesthetic imbues the craftsmanship of today's creators—their expression of femininity and emotional nuance, their unwavering pursuit of creating new value—with even greater radiance.


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Mariko Ogata
Born in Tokyo in 1978. Joined Hakuhodo in 2001, where she works as a copywriter. Has handled advertisements for LUMINE, Shiseido, Tokio Marine & Nichido Anshin Life Insurance, Kirin Brewery, Nissan Motor, and others. Winner of the Asahi Advertising Award Grand Prix and numerous other awards. Her first novel is "If You Remember in the Fitting Room, It's True Love" (Gentoshya Bunko). She also serves as editor-in-chief of the magazine "Kōkoku."


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