We had the pleasure of meeting Bénédicte Burguet-Journé a few days before the start of Spring-Summer 2023 Fashion Week. An unmissable event for the journalist and head of the Beauty, Fashion and Jewelry sections of Vanity Fair. With ten years of experience, BBJ as she is known, has also published a book dedicated to fashion: " What is it about Paris & Fashion ". Through a series of interviews with fifteen big names such as Jean-Paul Gaultier or Koché, this book questions the link between Paris and creativity, without forgetting to look at the fascinating myth of the Parisian woman.
And the inspiring Bénédicte is Parisian to the core. You only have to listen to her talk about Napoleon III, her favorite historical figure thanks to whom "Paris became Paris", notably with the Haussmannian architecture; to realize it.
Bénédicte Burguet-Journé
But let's come to jewelry, one of the otherwise great passion of our muse of the day.
On this subject, Bénédicte confides that she has no self-censorship: she buys new as well as old, mixes golds and designs her own pieces which she then has made by workshops in Paris. She loves the infinite transformations of a jewel, made possible by the use of "eternal" materials. A virtuous circle full of meaning, joining the convictions of Galerie Pénélope, in an era where everything has become disposable.
Bénédicte is not one of those who like discreet jewelry. No indecency is possible for this lover of fine jewelry who would gladly wear a Maharajah's necklace if she had the opportunity.
Discover its bold and graphic selection.
Coin collection
The journalist confesses that she buys jewelry whenever she can. Seduced by their durability, she considers the purchase of a piece as an investment. Mother of a little girl of almost three years old, Bénédicte also evokes the transmission.
First of all, Bénédicte fell in love with the Odyssey collectiona capsule imagined by Camille, our founder, based on ancient Roman coins. These pieces, "testimonies of the greatest civilization that ever ruled the world" are in a way a "lesson in humility" for the journalist, a reminder that nothing is ever taken for granted. Finally, Bénédicte couldn't pass by our ring bearing the effigy of Napoleon III, a visionary so dear to her Parisian heart.
19th century jewelry
When one has such an attachment to Paris under the leadership of Napoleon III, one must love the jewelry of his century! Leitmotiv in the jewelry of the 19th century, the snake is at the height of its popularity in the 1840s. Our model belongs to the register of the jewels of feeling since the ophidian creature holds between its fangs a heart-shaped medallion opening on a lock of hair. Remind you of something? In our article on the rubywe told you that to woo Eugenie, the last emperor sent her a locket made of rubies and diamonds containing a lock of her hair made by Chaumet. Our target ring is also adorned with red corundum and diamonds Belle Époque which prefigures the jewelry of the next century. Indeed, the pattern is particularly popular at the time of Art DecoIt was particularly popular during the period of the "Dirty War", renowned for its geometric shapes.
Bénédicte loves both pure forms and the 19th century, and her selection proves that the two worlds are absolutely compatible. The proof: this rectangular chain watch or our unengraved grey chalcedony seal, originally belonging to the category of utilitarian jewelry and now becoming ornaments in their own right.
Tank jewelry
Let's go back in time to the 1940s with a selection of tank jewelry. Benedicte likes the soft yet aggressive side of the ornaments from this period. Remember, in our article on the history of jewelry (part 2, from the 1940s to the 1970s) we talked about a half-mechanical, half-glamorous jewelry, inspired by the supremacy of the machine against the backdrop of the world conflict as well as the Hollywood style.
The reporter likes the "racy" character of our citrine and diamond ring. As for the all-gold bracelet, it's reminiscent of the refuge nature and military inspiration of the jewelry of the time.
Accumulating rushes
Bénédicte loves graphic and pure jewelry, like our wedding band rings. She selects almost all of them, whether they are adorned with a opalor a sapphire or a coralwithout forgetting the model dressed with a amethyst in a setting of pearls. And when she puts them on in accumulation on her fine hands, it is even more beautiful!
Vintage parts
Finally, as mentioned above, no self-censorship for Benedicte when it comes to jewelry, as seen in this eclectic selection of vintage pieces. First, let's go back to the 70s with the turquoise signet ring chosen by our journalist for its hammered work. Anecdote: this is the birthstone of the inspired and inspiring Sagittarius! Benedict also fell for the lion head ring by designer Ilias Lalaounis, dressed in tiger eye quartz from the same period. Finally, let's close her selection with the incredible nail jewel adorned with sapphires. When Camille unearthed it, it was lost in the middle of several pendants... but thanks to the expert eye of our passionate founder, you too can play the icon of the 2000s!
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Discover Bénédicte's universe through her website and her account instagram.