Cheerful and bold, the artistic director of Dior Joaillerie builds his collections around the most beautiful stones.
“After all, gems will live out their lives on people I may never see again.”
Wake up time?
Summer at 6, winter at 7. I like to follow the seasons and take my time.
The height of your position.
Create jewels that are depicted as glitter and that, at the end of an extraordinary human chain, will live out their lives on people I will probably never see again… Build, analyze, understand why things work.
Need to give numbers here and now?
Two high jewelery collections per year (ie 280 pieces). Each takes about two years from first drawing to completion. Added to that are small jewelry, medium and special orders, meaning a launch almost every month.
In video, Dior’s Cruise 2024 show, a declaration of love to Frida Kahlo and Mexico City
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“I was an only child who developed his imagination very early”
If we go back to the roots.
I was an only child who developed his imagination very early; very attentive and fascinated by women, jewelry that accompanied their gestures, the noise of bracelets, the shine of earrings… All this in a family full of artistic talents.
The school that started it all.
I am an unusual person. I didn’t study jewelry. But I’ve always hacked, cut, pasted, adapted…
Your accelerators.
My entrance to Chanel at the age of 21. Before, I thought about going out, having fun, the world was different. A friend who works there called me. “Do you have two weeks free to glue envelopes for parade invitations?” I stayed there for fourteen years.
Mentor?
Karl Lagerfeld. I lived with my grandmother, with my uncle, who was her assistant. He called, I answered. It wasn’t after Carl. When he took the Chanel, he saw that I was there. My personality amused him. She put me in charge of the costume jewelry.
I tell myself that I am still doing the same thing as when I was 5 years old. Only the materials have changed.
Kastelian’s victory
Who trusted you?
So did Karl, as well as Bernard Arnault, when the Dior jewelry division was created in 1998.
Obstacles.
I don’t really have that view. Some things get done, others don’t. Working on yourself helps you understand what you’re up against. If everyone studied for themselves, the world would be a better place. I did that for twenty years.
What do you still have to learn?
I would rather say what I have left to live for. (Is laughing):
What would you like to convey?
Very cheerful way of working. I do everything conscientiously and seriously, but also very spontaneously. I tell myself that I am still doing the same thing as when I was 5 years old. Only the materials have changed. When I hear “that’s your business”, I answer. “Ah, yes, that’s right, it’s my job.”
“Inspiration is quite intimate, I look for it within myself”
Digital addiction?
Of course, it’s hard not to look at your phone when you’re waiting for an answer. But I’m not addicted to social media. All these images are absorbed every day, is it really necessary? interesting? Inspiration is quite intimate, I rather look for it within myself.
A thought that sets you free.
Take no more than a second to pick out my outfit, a minute to do my makeup and ten to get completely ready. Even putting on perfume is an extra gesture. There are already too many things to think about, it’s not bad to be relieved. I try to save my mental space for the rest.
Defining your influence.
permeability. We are all a little permeable, even if we don’t realize it.
The friendly hand that gets you back in shape.
I don’t have a guru, I don’t practice yoga, but I learn to relax.
In the video, Kim Jones co-ordinates all her guests at the Dior Summer 2024 show
Source: Le Figaro
