A History of the Cartier Choker
This article is a brief history of the Cartier choker. This iconic piece of jewelry was designed by Jeanne Toussaint, a director of the company’s Fine Jewelry department and the creative driving force for the company for much of the 20th century. Known as the “panther” by colleagues, she used animal skins in her work and decorated her apartment with them. The panther brooch would become a classic Cartier creation and was worn by Wallis Simpson, an American socialite famous for her marriage to King Edward VII.
Jeanne Toussaint was Cartier’s creative driving force
While many designers are proud of their work, few can claim the same accomplishments. The director of fine jewelry at Cartier, Jeanne Toussaint, is an inspiration for designers. Through her hard work, her collections have become famous, and she is often cited as the creative driving force behind the brand’s most notable pieces. Jeanne Toussaint’s uncompromising style and vision helped establish the French luxury house’s eminence in the world, even during difficult times.
As Cartier’s Director of Fine Jewelry, Jeanne Toussaint inspired the creation of many iconic pieces, including the famous panther. She shared a camaraderie with Wallis Simpson, who was obsessed with panther jewelry. In 1940, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor commissioned Cartier to design a gold and onyx panther brooch for their wife. The duchess of Windsor commissioned twelve such “big cat” accessories from the prestigious company over the course of her lifetime.
During World War II, the city of Paris was faced with unprecedented challenges, including the internment of eleven members of the Cartier team. Jeanne Toussaint wore a brooch with a caged songbird, which she later displayed in a Cartier store. This infamous piece caused much trouble, and Toussaint was ultimately summoned to a general headquarters of the occupying troops. After the war, Toussaint and the Cartier store began displaying a new version of the brooch, which was called the “Freed Bird”.
The panther was an emblematic animal for the company. During her time at Cartier, Toussaint developed many different designs featuring the animal, including two-dimensional versions and three-dimensional panther. She also devoted a great deal of time to designing jewellery for Coco Chanel. This devoted artist later worked closely with Louis Cartier for 13 years. During this period, Toussaint and Louis shared the same uncompromising quest for excellence.
A decade after the founding of Cartier, the brand’s flagship store opened in Paris. The company’s headquarters is located on Rue de la Paix, which was once associated with Paris’s fashion vanguard. Other prominent residents of the area included the royal perfumer Guerlain and trailblazing couturiers Worth. Jeanne Toussaint’s daughter, Francesca, and Jacques Doucet, were also born in the area. In 1907, the brothers moved to New York and established a radical new blueprint for luxury brands in the twentieth century.
Jeanne Toussaint was inspired by nature
In the 1940s, Jeanne Toussaint returned to nature to create jewelery. Inspired by animals and plants, she introduced yellow gold to her designs, which had been replaced by platinum for decades. She designed jewellery for the likes of Daisy Reginald Fellowes and Barbara Hutton, and even created panther-themed pieces for the Duchess of Windsor. Although the war had reduced France to basic necessities, Toussaint was able to create huge jewels made of exotic materials.
Inspired by nature and Henri Rousseau, Jeanne Toussaint created unique pieces for Cartier, which would become iconic in their own right. A post-impressionist painter, Toussaint was the first woman to hold such a position in the jewelry industry. Her career at Cartier spanned more than 50 years and helped the luxury jewelry house maintain its eminence even during the darkest years of the Great Depression.
After graduating from fashion school, Jeanne Toussaint began designing for women. During her time in Paris, design and art were the currency of the day. She became famous as a creative, stylish, and determined ingenue. Her charisma landed her in the same circles as Coco Chanel. Jeanne Toussaint’s work would go on to influence many designers and brands today.
The iconic panther motif was introduced by Toussaint in 1948. She was an artistic visionary who challenged her creative team to create more realistic pieces. Panther-themed jewelery became one of Cartier’s most recognized symbols. These necklaces are often made up of precious metals. This necklace will surely last a lifetime and be worn by many generations of women.
The necklace was originally designed for a man, but it was scaled down by 15% to 20% to fit the woman’s body. Because of the necklace’s small size, Toussaint was able to create an equally stunning design. The necklace is adorned with colorless diamonds and zirconium oxides, two rare natural materials. These stones were mounted on white gold for a flawless look. Despite this, the necklace is still comfortable to wear.
Jeanne Toussaint designed Cartier’s Trinity line
This elegant choker is the perfect gift for any woman, whether she’s trying to add a touch of glamour to an evening gown or simply to celebrate a special occasion. Designed in 1911, the Trinity line choker is an iconic piece of Cartier jewellery. Known as the “Cat of Paris” choker, it is a classic accessory that will never go out of style. The choker’s oversized pendant and faceted stones will bring a pop of color to any outfit.
A classic piece of jewelry, the Trinity line of chokers is made from three rings – yellow gold, white gold, and pink gold – that interlock to form a unique design. Cartier crafted many pieces with this concept in mind, and it has remained a staple of the jewelry industry. This collection includes cufflinks, earrings, necklaces, and more.
The design was inspired by the panther motif, a motif that first appeared on a wristwatch in 1914. Jeanne Toussaint’s use of the panther motif in jewelry is unmatched in its feminine form. In 1933, she was named creative director of Cartier’s haute joaillerie department, overseeing the renowned brand. The panther motif became a symbol of Cartier’s success, and the iconic panther necklace is an excellent example of her work.
The Grand Duchess Alexandra of Russia was born into minor royalty, but she played her role as a Romanov with taste. At her wedding, Tsar Alexander II presented Alexandra with a magnificent parure of emeralds, featuring a 100-carat hexagonal emerald. The jewel was designed by Cartier, her closest jeweler. It was one of her most important bespoke acquisitions.
Designed in 1924, the Trinity ring is still an iconic piece of jewelry. Its minimalist design features three interlocking bands that slide over the body. The ring is an iconic piece of Cartier jewelry, worn by celebrities such as Princess Diana, Nicole Kidman, and Jean Cocteau. This choker was also designed to represent enduring love. It costs $73,000.
Jeanne Toussaint designed Cartier’s diamond choker
Despite the name, the necklace is not for a woman. It was designed by the legendary Cartier creative director, Jeanne Toussaint, during the 1930s. A visionary, Toussaint was inspired by Indian jewelry, which she found to be an inspiration for the brand. With a unique attitude and strong sense of style, Toussaint was able to bring the Maison’s distinctive style to life.
Known as “the panther,” Toussaint was a fashionable young woman and a passionate designer of jewellery. In fact, her apartment was full of panther skins. Her famous panther brooch struck a chord with the strong females of the time. The designer was also a frequent traveler to India, where she influenced the fashion of Mogul-style jewels.
The original necklace was destroyed, but Cartier remained committed to the design. They even used the diamonds in other pieces. However, the diamonds are now colourless. In addition to that, Toussaint’s diamond choker was smaller than the original, which made it more suitable for men. This necklace took eight weeks to make, which means it’s ideal for men, too.
The necklace is also featured in the new movie Ocean’s 8, an all-female remake of the famous Ocean’s franchise. The film stars Sandra Bullock, Rihanna, Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling, and Sarah Paulson. Known for its luxurious designs, it will surely attract attention. Hence, the necklace has been a big hit with fans and celebrities.
The necklace was originally intended for men but was later modified to suit women. Its total carat weight grew from three to five hundred carats. The necklace was made of diamonds and zirconium oxides, both natural materials. Cartier’s designers took great care of the finishing of the necklace and paid special attention to the necklace’s appearance. In fact, the necklace is a perfect example of how a designer should approach the creation of a jewel.
It’s no surprise that the actresses wore Cartier’s iconic necklaces in the movie. Some of the actresses wore jewels from the Cartier Panthere collection, while Kendall Jenner wore pieces from the 1956 Lavaliere collection. The actresses also wore pieces from Cartier during the filming of “The Met Gala” and other prestigious events. During filming, the iconic Cartier Mansion in New York became a filming site. The exterior was also featured on screen.
A History of the Cartier Choker