Brutal and beautiful, Colombe d’Humières makes jewellery of an altogether different kind
Parisian jewellery is typically known for glamour and refinement – a swing around the vaunted haute joaillerie salons of the Place Vendôme will tell you as much – but across the city, Colombe d’Humières is making jewellery of an altogether different kind: her pieces look as if dug up from the earth, or descended from another planet entirely. A necklace might appear to be made from claws, or bones; pendants – whether whirling Celtic twists or battered crucifixes – are like amulets, made to to ward away evil spirits; her rings, neolithic treasures.
D’Humières learned her craft in the environs of Central Saint Martins, though the French designer has since relocated back to her home country, where she runs a studio in the capital. There, she works energetically on strange new forms: a mouthpiece, like contorted animal’s teeth, for Cecily Ophelia’s BA collection; or a pendant, as if made from welded together from silver keys. They are brutal and beautiful at once, but precious too: each bears the distinct imprint of D’Humières’ hand.
A silver ‘tangled’ choker and embossed bangle seem to best encapsulate her freewheeling craft: they are like relics, appearing from the future and past at once.
Hair: Hirokazu Endo using Bumble & Bumble. Make-up: Mattie White using Lord & Berry. Model: Priscilla Cheseaux at Storm Management. Casting: Troy Casting at D+V Management. Set design: Laura Little. Manicure: Robbie Tomkins at Premier. Photographic assistants: Ellen Egan. Styling assistants: Priyanka Makwana, Sarah Carone, Grace Naef and Antoine Caballero. Set-design assistants: Frank Styles.
