Veritable Renaissance man Pharrell Williams has only held the role of creative director at Louis Vuitton for a little over a year, but that hasn’t stopped him from lending his vision to fellow LVMH brand Tiffany & Co. Titled the ‘Tiffany Titan’, the Williams-designed collection spans 19 pieces and is intended to be a “physical manifestation of beauty in blackness.”
A departure from the usual Tiffany & Co. aesthetic, the Tiffany Titan collection is inspired by the mythological Poseidon and introduces a new motif that sees an oval-shaped link intersected with a spear inspired by the trident the Greek deity wields. The interplay between the curvilinear lines of the link and the sharpness of the spear is intended to create tension and act as “an expression of one’s energy, power, and force.”
“I’m very inspired by the water, and the name of this collection “Titan” draws inspiration from Poseidon, ruler of the sea, King of Atlantis,” explained Pharrell Williams of the collection, adding that ‘Atlanis’ is also the name of the community in Virginia Beach he grew up in.
The 19-piece collection comprises an array of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings. Pieces are offered in yellow gold or titanium, with pieces working to challenge conventional design methods. Offering an atypical approach to traditional diamond settings, pavé pieces utlise reverse-set diamonds that expose the diamond’s pavilion and result in a more striking appearance. Meanwhile, blackened titanium adds an edgy note to the collection, making for a striking contrast against the warmth of the yellow gold. “The detail in all of the jewellery pieces is very intentional,” noted Williams. “The use of black titanium…it’s a physical manifestation of beauty in blackness.”
“We are excited to unveil Pharrell’s inaugural collection for Tiffany,” said Alexandre Arnault, executive vice president of product and communications at Tiffany & Co. “The Tiffany Titan by Pharrell Williams collection defies the conventions of fine jewellery design. It represents a balance of Pharrell’s creative vision with Tiffany & Co.’s inventive craftsmanship. Each piece embodies Pharrell’s distinct style and unique point of view.”
Since the commencement of his role as executive vice president of product and communications at Tiffany & Co., Alexandre Arnault has been working to transform the heritage American jeweller’s somewhat sedate reputation. In a bid to prove it isn’t all heart tags and T bracelets, campaigns like the controversial “Not Your Mother’s Tiffany” and collaborations with the likes of Beyoncé, Supreme, and Nike have attempted to add cultural clout to the legacy brand.
The Tiffany Titan collection by Pharrell Williams for Tiffany & Co. continues that work, proving that the lauded jewellery house’s commitment to craftsmanship can be applied to fresh designs. The collection will be available online from May onwards via the United States-based Tiffany & Co. webstore as well as in The Landmark physical boutique in New York City, before a global drop across physical stores and webstores in June.
Words by Esmé Duggan
