Under the searing Thai sun, a Cartier experience like no other came to life. Hannah Cooper, RUSSH’s ever-intrepid executive fashion director, journeyed to Phuket’s lush coastline to immerse herself in a celebration of High Jewellery mastery. The event unfolded in a private residence perched high above the Andaman Sea, its panoramic vistas matched only by the beauty of the Maison’s curated 200-piece collection. Inspired by the journeys of the Cartier brothers – Louis, Pierre, and Jacques – this Phuket showcase was not merely an exhibition but an ode to craftsmanship and cultural resonance.
Inside the exhibition’s four chapters, Cooper found herself captivated by Cartier’s poetic interplay of light, texture, and narrative. Each room drew inspiration from Phuket’s rich history as a 19th-century mining hub and its artistic traditions. In the 'Carved Wood' room, dark tones and woven rattan set the stage for flora- and fauna-inspired masterpieces. Cooper marvelled at the Croco necklace’s emerald glow and the sculptural brilliance of the Les Oiseaux Libérés collection – pieces that whispered tales of untamed jungles and vivid emerald waters.
Stepping into the 'Ceramics' room, geometric tiles paid homage to the Chinese merchants who once shaped Phuket’s cultural tapestry. Within its confines, the Maison's Tichodroma ring, its rubellite gemstone a radiant testament to Cartier’s flair for bold artistry. The transformative designs of the Panthère de Cartier and Cactus collections added yet another layer of intrigue to this colourful space.
The journey continued into the 'Silk' room, where intricate patterns of Thai silk weaving served as a dreamy backdrop for the Grattacielo necklace, its rare Type IIa diamond catching light like liquid mercury; a reminder of Cartier’s timeless ability to marry elegance with dynamism.
Finally, the 'Wrought Iron' room brought Cooper face-to-face with the pièce de résistance: the Miroitement necklace, its blue diamond centrepiece glowing amidst European-inspired ironwork. And as evening fell, Cartier transformed Villa Naka into a lavish dining haven, complete with a classical Nora dance, a fiery drone show, and performances by Jeff Satur and The Toys turned the night into a cinematic finale; a luminous journey through artistry and tradition, where past and present intertwined under Thailand’s endless sky.
