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VLife
The future at Tiffany’s
Much more than a jewellery store, Tiffany & Co. is a cultural touchstone, inspiring books,
films ... and countless shopping sprees. As a new exhibition explores the brand’s illustrious
past, its new executive vice president is planning what comes next.
By Jake Millar Portrait by Yoshiyuki Matsumura
f looking for a little respite in trying
times, Truman Capote’s most famous
protagonist had one suggestion: “What
I found does the most good,” Holly
IGolightly explained to readers back in
1958, “is just to get into a taxi and go to
Tiffany’s. It calms me down right away, the
quietness and the proud look of it; nothing
very bad could happen to you there.”
While we can’t vouch for the scientific
properties of a visit to Tiffany’s, Golightly
had a point. After all, it’s hard to overstate
the brand’s significance in the postwar
American consciousness. Andy Warhol
designed Christmas cards for it; renowned
jeweller Jean Schlumberger came on board;
and then, of course, Capote’s Breakfast at
Tiffany’s became not just a bestseller, but a
lauded film in which the image of Audrey
Hepburn in a simple black dress and gloves
remains among cinema’s most indeliable.
But if Golightly was impressed by Tiffany’s
New York flagship, she would be blown away
by Vision & Virtuosity, now open at
London’s Saatchi Gallery. The exhibition,
first staged in Shanghai in 2019, uses 400
pieces from the archives to take visitors on a
journey through everything from window
displays and pop-culture moments to one-
of-a-kind gems, such as the recently
acquired 80-carat Empire Diamond.
“It is a multi-sensory experience with
digital projections and scenography unlike
anything we’ve done in the past,” says
executive vice president, product and
communications, Alexandre Arnault.
“It was an exciting undertaking from
start to finish,” he says of the exhibition’s
four-year development. “During the initial
stages … we spent hours at the Tiffany
PHOTOGRAPHER: HENRY LEUTWYLER heritage; they offer a glimpse into the
archives with these spectacular objects.
These pieces are truly symbolic of Tiffany’s
standard for quality and beauty in the
world of Tiffany for the past 185 years.”
The 29-year-old Arnault, who joined the
house last year, is also the brains behind
featuring
campaign
blockbuster
the
Beyoncé and Jay-Z. “It has always been a
D E S I G N
THIS PAGE, FROM TOP
Tiffany & Co. vice president
Alexandre Arnault in his
New York office, Heavy
(2006) artwork by Richard
Prince on wall. A diamond,
enamel and 40-carat
Montana sapphire necklace
designed under the
direction of Louis Comfort
Tiffany, son of Tiffany & Co.
founder Charles
Louis Tiffany.
dream of mine to work with the Carters and
we were lucky enough to be able to make
it happen,” he says. “Tiffany has always
stood for love, strength and self-expression.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z are the embodiment of the
modern love story. There is not a more iconic
couple that better represents these values.”
Unsurprisingly, Arnault still has a soft spot
for the brand’s most celebrated ambassador.
“One of my personal favourites is the
Breakfast at Tiffany’s chapter that features
Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress and the
Oscar for [the movie’s original theme song]
Moon River,” he says. “This important
cultural moment served as the source of
inspiration for our About Love campaign
featuring Beyoncé and Jay-Z.”
It has been a busy year for Tiffany & Co. as
the brand joined the growing LVMH stable
alongside Dior, Fendi and Bulgari, among
many others. “I think anyone who visits our
brand exhibition will understand why Tiffany
was attractive to LVMH,” says Arnault.
“Besides creating the most extraordinary
jewellery collections in its almost 200 years
of history, Tiffany is so much more than its
products — it’s actually a cultural icon.”
It’s true, of course. But for a company with
this much cultural currency, the obvious
question becomes, where do you go next?
“We will continue to reimagine collections
and explore projects and collaborations that
create excitement for the brand. Everything
we do is anchored in innovation and we will
continue to define that as we engage with the
worlds of art, music, sports and technology,”
says Arnault. “We are building the ultimate
luxury lifestyle jeweller. We’ll continue
Tiffany’s longstanding success in balancing
tradition and modernity, and we will bring
to evolve the Tiffany brand and vision.
Tiffany into the future.”
“I’m most excited about continuing
The options are limitless,” he continues.
“I believe the best is yet to come.” “I believe
the best is yet to come.”
Vision & Virtuosity runs until August 17.
Tickets available on the Vision & Virtuosity
app. For details, visit tiffany.com.au
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