Boucheron

The House of Boucheron is a French family dynasty founded by Frederic Boucheron in 1858, with the opening of his first store in the Galerie de Valois, at Palais-Royal, during the heyday of the Second French Empire. He created his atelier in 1866 and a year later won the Gold Medal during the Exposition Universelle (1867).

Paul Legrand (1840-1910) worked as the chief designer for the house of Boucheron from 1863-1867, and again 1871-1892.[1] He is credited with the idea of combining pearls with diamond rondelles, first seen in Boucheron products in 1889. The "rondelle" cut of diamonds was pioneered by Bordinckx, who was also associated with Boucheron.[2] While Legrand was head designer, in 1879, Boucheron developed a clasp-less necklace, which was part of its show which won a Grand Prix for Outstanding Innovation in a Jewellery Collection at the 1889 World's Fair.[3] Legrand was also influential in the design of the "Plume de Paon" (Peacock's Feather) design, which has featured in Boucheron collections since Legrand and Frédéric Boucheron created it in 1866.[3] It featured in the Point d'Interrogation necklace, which was bought by Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich Romanov.[3] This necklace was also featured in the World's Fair-winning collection.[3]

In 1893, Frédéric Boucheron became the first jeweller to move to Place Vendôme. Legend has it that he chose 26 Place Vendôme, where Boucheron remains to this day, because it was the sunniest corner of the square. He believed that the diamonds in the windows would sparkle all the more brilliantly.

In 1893, Boucheron opened a store in Moscow, later transferred to Saint Petersburg in 1911. In 1903 a store in London and an office in New York. More store openings followed in Japan in 1973, Shanghai, Dubai in 2005, and finally Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur in 2006.

Boucheron was a family business; after the death of its founder Frédéric Boucheron in 1902, his descendants took over the business. In 1994, the family business shifted to a more global approach with its selling out to Schweizerhall.

The House of Boucheron was then acquired by former Gucci Group in 2000,[4] which was bought by PPR in 2004.[5] Pierre Bouissou was appointed CEO in April 2011[6] and was replaced by Helene Poulit-Duquesne in July 2015.[7]

In 1878, the Russian Prince Felix Youssoupoff purchased a corsage decorated with 6 detachable diamond bows during one of his visits to Paris.

In 1921, Boucheron was commissioned to make a tiara for Lady Greville which was later given to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.[8] Her grandson Prince Charles passed the tiara on to his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.[9]

Queen Elizabeth II also has a collection of Boucheron jewels.

In 1928, the Maharaja of Patiala asked Boucheron to set the stones of his treasure, which were brought to the Place Vendôme boutique by the prince.

In addition to Czar Alexander III, royal patrons of Boucheron have included Maharajah Sir Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, Riza Shah Pahlevi, Queen Farida of Egypt and Queen Rania of Jordan.

One of the first lines created was the symbolic snake line in the 1970s.

Solange Azagury-Partridge was appointed Creative Director in 2001, she held the position for three years.[10] 2002 saw the launch of the "Beauté Dangereuse" and "Cinna Pampilles" collections, "Not Bourgeois" launched the following year.

In 2004, the "Jaipur" High Jewellery line and the "Déchaînée" collection are launched.

2005 is a very creative year for the House of Boucheron : the "Trouble", "Quatre", "Diablotine", "Vingt-Six" and "Trouble Désir" jewellery lines are launched.

In 2006 "Exquises Confidences" is launched, and a year later "Fleurs Fatales" high jewellery collection makes its debut.[11]

In 2010, Boucheron unveiled a colorful jewellery range to enhance its "Cinna Pampilles" collection.

In 2011, the "Cabinet of Curiosities" line was launched.[12]

In 1996 Boucheron collaborated with Waterman Paris to produce the limited edition, Edson signe Boucheron. The nib was made of 18K solid gold with the body of the pen being of a blue translucent Resin. The retail price was €2000 / $2700 / £1700 and limited to only 3471 pieces (this number is the sum of the years of foundation of Waterman, 1883, and Boucheron, 1858). The pen remains one of the most sought after pieces within the fine writing category.

In 2006, Boucheron and Alexander McQueen collaborated to create a limited-edition Novak bag that incorporates the snake motif of Boucheron's Trouble line.

The beginning of a collaboration between Boucheron and Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux started a year later in 2007, amongst which feature the LadyHawk Tourbillon and the limited Boucheron tribute watch.[13]

In 2010, Boucheron and MB&F launched the HM3 JwlryMachine timepiece.[14]

It has 34 boutiques worldwide and an online e-commerce website launched in 2007. Claire Choisne was appointed Creative Director in 2011.[15] The company's estimated sales (in 2010/2011) were €50 million in total sales and €5 million in watches.[16]