Louis Vuitton’s New High Jewelry Collection Has a Distinctly Old-World Feel

There’s something electrifying about a collision of icons. Case in point: Louis Vuitton’s most recognizable motifs—the monogram flower and the letter V—cross paths for the first time in a high jewelry collection. Together they form a subtle, albeit luminous, coat of arms on the necklaces, chokers, earrings, rings, and bracelets of the house’s elegant new Conquêtes Regalia line.

Dinner with a view of the Victor Emmanuel II Monumen

Courtesy of Hotel de Russi

Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Vuitton debuted the opulent baubles last June at a private dinner at Rome’s Casa dei Cavalieri di Rodi (House of the Knights of Rhodes). The location, overlooking the Forum of Augustus, was chosen for its evocation of imperial history. Jewelry was one of the only commodities ancient Roman women could own separately from their husbands—and they were free to sell or trade it as they pleased. Drawing upon that legacy of empowerment, the French house delivered regal pieces inspired by female strength and independence. Another recurring motif? Two time-honored symbols of royal power: medallions and chains, entangled with diamonds and ornamental stones (garnets, emeralds, and tourmalines among them) fit for a queen. Or, as it happens, an empress.

The courtyard of the Hotel de Russie, where Vuitton guests stayed.

Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

This article originally appeared in the November 2018 issue of ELLE.

GET THE LATEST ISSUE OF ELLE