Dior Rose high jewellery collection

In four interpretations of its signature motif, Dior delves deep into the architecture of the rose as well as its enduring symbolism.

Rose Mantique sapphire necklace

At Christian Dior, a new high jewellery collection pays homage to the house’s most important motif, the rose.

The favourite flower of the house’s founder, the rose has been a continuous presence in the creations of Dior, from haute couture to accessories. This year, the maison’s creative director of fine jewellery, Victoire de Castellane, has paid homage to the timeless bloom in its latest high jewellery collection, Dior Rose.

Rose Futuriste emerald ringBelow: Couture Jour diamond bracelet; Rose Mantique sapphire necklace

At 116 pieces, the collection is the largest Dior has released so far. The story is told across four chapters that reinterpret the silhouette and colour of Monsieur Dior’s beloved bloom in four different ways: the romantic rose, the stained-glass rose, the futuristic rose and the abstract couture rose, each one expressing a different idea or fantasy surrounding the rose and its mythology.

Rose Couture Ruby earrings

Departing from the previous collection, Rose Dior, which focused on a more realistic interpretation of the flower, Dior Rose explores the architecture of this queen of flowers.

Rings, earrings and necklaces take on a more sculptural form that plays on the shapes and shadows of the flower.

In some of these pieces, the careful placement of gems creates a fascinating pixelated effect, evoking the dew-edged petals of a rose in the early morning.

But even in the romantic chapter, where the rose is presented in its truest form, de Castellane avoids sentimentality. Instead, her interpretation is almost botanical.

The stained-glass rose mirrors its namesake windows. Monochromatic and rose-cut stones are arranged around a central gem.

Rose Futuriste gold pearl necklace

South Sea pearls mark the futuristic rose chapter, their off-centre axis captured with a spiral of diamonds, while the abstract couture rose takes the central design to the next phase of its evolution – to what the rose might be, or what it might be if it were from another planet. It’s surreal yet still identifiable.

Channelling de Castellane’s signature love of bright colours and her passion for embellishment in the details, the Dior Rose collection is a veritable bouquet of precious stones, a kaleidoscope of colour celebrating the visual elasticity of the flower that inspired it.

Dior Couture Jour diamond bracelet

In real life no two roses are identical – much like the individual gems that hero the piece in which they feature and create its unique character, whether it be a magnificent sapphire from Myanmar, a Colombian emerald or Australian-sourced opals – another of de Castellane’s signature gems.

A rose is never just a rose, especially at Dior.