The founder of the Lalique company is Rene Lalique, a French jeweler with the soul of an artist. Love for jewelry and for glass – that’s what served as a success for the career of an unremarkable French boy. The only thing that made him stand out among his peers was his ability to draw.
Even while studying at the art school, Rene became interested in jewelry. Therefore, after graduation, he will not even think about what to do next – he finds himself a teacher, jeweler Louis Okok. After a couple of years, he decides to continue his education: he enters the famous London College of Art. After returning to France, he starts working in a jewelry workshop owned by a relative.
Pioneering talent
Creations created by the imagination and skillful hands of Rene Lalique still excite the imagination of collectors who appreciate the uniqueness and creativity of the Art Nouveau style. Now it is difficult to believe that experienced jewelers were not immediately able to consider and appreciate the talent of the young man.
Once Rene plucked up the courage and decided to offer the sketches of jewelry designed by him to the director of the famous at that time Boucheron jewelry house. But Frederic Boucheron, a supporter of the traditional style, did not appreciate the work of the novice jeweler, saying that they were too extravagant and unlikely to be successful. But criticism did not stop Lalique, he is realizing his idea. On his next visit, he, along with the sketch, laid out the already finished decoration on the table and Boucheron could not resist an enthusiastic exclamation. Without bargaining, he paid for the decoration the amount named by the future great jeweler.
Interestingly, other directors of famous jewelry companies echoed Boucheron’s reactions exactly. First, doubts that jewelry made of semi-precious stones, and even more so made of ornamental materials, will appeal to aristocrats, then – the willingness to buy back all the items invented and made by this talented jewelry designer.
Lalique. Crystal, pearl and metal
Lalique decided that he needed to develop his own brand, and not give the created jewelry for sale to the owners of jewelry houses. And he decides to compete with those whom he considered his teachers: he opens his own store. And what the jewelers feared is happening – there has been an outflow of customers. Surprisingly, the ladies of high society are tired of status jewelry, they wanted something extraordinary and refined. They became regular clients of Lalique, the delicate beauty of crystal, the bewitching play of mother-of-pearl enchanted them much more than the cold shine of diamonds.
The designer jewelry created by Rene Lalique was completely innovative. He made his original works from a variety of materials, was not afraid to mix precious stones with pieces of shells, mother-of-pearl, enamel and even glass. The master masterfully worked with a huge range of materials: from ivory to copper.
The Lalique trademark still does not deviate from the style created by the French artist. Jewelry of this brand still does not leave anyone indifferent. Anyone who once decided to buy art nouveau design works remains loyal for many years. How could it be otherwise? After all, they were once chosen by the style icon, the divine Sarah Bernhardt.
René Lalique products
