In brief
- 550 to 1,500 euros: price range of the jewellery in this capsule collection.
- 2020: year Pierre Feret jewellery established itself in Fontainebleau.
- 18-carat gold: precious metal used exclusively for the manufacturing of the pieces.
- 3 motifs: number of historical themes developed (fleur-de-lis, staircase and gardens).
- March to July: creation period between the first drawings and the final realisation.
In brief
- The jewellery house Pierre Feret presents a capsule dedicated to the symbols of Fontainebleau’s heritage.
- The collection uses 18-carat gold and precious stones for prices ranging between 550 and 1,500 euros.
- Three central motifs are developed: the fleur-de-lis, the castle staircase and the square of the gardens.
- A line dedicated to the forest is associated with a financial donation to help the woodland after the fires.
Pierre Feret jewellery marks a new milestone in its local roots
Local roots celebrated at the hôtel de Cavoye
Pierre Feret jewellery marks a new milestone in its local roots. Established in Fontainebleau since 2020 after the creation of a first workshop in Nemours in 2019, the jeweller Yasmine Feret presented a capsule collection dedicated to the symbols of the town during an event at the hôtel de Cavoye. Drawing on twenty-five years of practice and coming from the world of decoration, the founder has designed light pieces intended to celebrate the history and heritage of the region.
The choice of the hôtel de Cavoye for this presentation is not accidental. This place steeped in history echoes the very philosophy of the house, which constantly seeks to link contemporary creation with the historical roots of the region. Drawing on her twenty-five years of experience, the designer uses her background in the decorative arts to structure balanced volumes, where geometry meets delicacy. The transition from the world of interior decoration to the infinitely smaller world of fine jewellery translates into a keen sense of detail, perspective and relief, applied here on a millimetre scale.
The establishment of the boutique-workshop in the heart of Fontainebleau in 2020, following the initial structure in Nemours founded in 2019, is part of a local dynamic. For the house, the aim is to address a local clientele of connoisseurs directly, while benefiting from the cultural and tourist influence of this historic town. The pieces in this new capsule are not intended to be merely aesthetic ornaments, but true vectors of memory and belonging, materialising the indestructible link between residents, visitors and the architectural landscape of Fontainebleau.
Gold and stones at the service of heritage
Crafted exclusively in 18-carat gold enhanced with precious stones, the collection is based on a desire to tell an intimate story through the jewellery piece. The designer notes a marked interest from clients for jewellery carrying identifiable cultural landmarks. The development work, which began with drawing in March, allowed the first pieces to be produced as early as July.
The choice of 18-carat gold, the standard of French fine jewellery, guarantees the durability of these creations designed to span generations. This noble metal, appreciated for its resistance and unalterable brilliance, serves as a setting for a rigorous selection of precious stones that punctuate each motif with luminous and colourful touches. The artistic approach is based on a subtle alliance between respect for traditional manufacturing techniques and a refined aesthetic, adapted to contemporary uses.
The creation schedule testifies to the rigour and responsiveness of the house’s workshop. Between the first sketches drawn by hand in March and the release of the first finalised models in July, several crucial stages followed one another: modelling, the choice of stones, gold casting, setting and final polishing. This artisanal process guarantees a level of finish worthy of the great houses, while retaining the flexibility and singularity of an independent workshop deeply attached to the expression of its own identity.
Three historical symbols developed into jewellery sets
Each of the three themes chosen for this capsule collection is the subject of an in-depth stylistic interpretation. The designer sought to refine the lines of these strong symbols in order to make them timeless, avoiding the pitfall of the tourist souvenir to offer genuine art jewellery. The sets are designed as coherent but modular ensembles that can be worn together or mismatched on a daily basis.
The architectural symbols of the town of Fontainebleau
The capsule is structured around three architectural and historical figures of the royal town: the monarchical fleur-de-lis, the horseshoe staircase of the castle and the square of the French formal gardens. With the exception of the motif inspired by the staircase, which does not include a bracelet, each symbol is available in a complete set comprising a ring, necklace, earrings and bracelet.
The fleur-de-lis, a historical emblem of French royalty intrinsically linked to the history of the château de Fontainebleau, is redesigned here with great lightness. Its traditional curves are simplified to integrate harmoniously into fine gold structures, where the precious metal catches the light in a subtle way. This classic motif appeals to art history lovers as well as fans of elegant geometric patterns.
The horseshoe staircase, an architectural masterpiece of the château de Fontainebleau, represents the most unique technical and aesthetic challenge of the collection. Its unique and dynamic shape has been stylised to give rise to rings, necklaces and earrings that hug the contours of the body with fluidity. Due to its particular structural complexity and the design choice of its silhouette, this motif has not been developed as a bracelet, as the designer preferred to focus the strength of the design on the other types of wear.
The square of the gardens, meanwhile, is inspired by the rigour and symmetry of the French formal parterres designed for successive sovereigns. This geometric and structured motif offers a perfect visual balance, ideal for the inlaying of precious stones arranged in a regular fashion. This line is particularly appealing for its graphic design, which transcends its historical inspiration to become a resolutely modern creation, easy to pair with contemporary outfits.
An accessible range and an international vocation
The prices of the collection range between 550 and 1,500 euros depending on the models, chains and the choice of precious stones. While the line primarily aims to strengthen the bond with local residents, its graphic sobriety also appeals to external buyers unfamiliar with the architecture of Fontainebleau.
This price scale opens the doors of 18-carat gold fine jewellery to a wider audience, while guaranteeing an uncompromising level of quality. The price variations depend on the complexity of each piece, the weight of gold used, the type of chain selected for the necklaces and the nature as well as the number of gems set on the jewellery. This flexibility thus offers the possibility of acquiring a fine and discreet piece or a more imposing and richly adorned set.
The universality of the design is at the heart of the brand’s development strategy. While local clients find in these creations a direct echo of their daily environment and territorial identity, national and international visitors see them as an exceptional, elegant and durable souvenir, far from the usual clichés. The purity of the lines guarantees that, even detached from their original historical context, these pieces of jewellery retain all their aesthetic strength and power of attraction.
A commitment to the forest of Fontainebleau
The house Pierre Feret does not limit itself to drawing inspiration from the built heritage of the imperial town. It also integrates into its creative process the exceptional natural heritage that surrounds the town. The forest of Fontainebleau, world-famous for its rocky chaos, its varied species and its unique biodiversity, constitutes an inexhaustible source of inspiration that deserved very special attention, particularly in the face of contemporary environmental challenges.
A philanthropic commitment to the forest massif
Alongside this heritage capsule, the house is developing a specific section dedicated to the surrounding forest. A portion of the revenue from this forest line will be donated to the fund raised to support the woodland following the recent fires, thus materialising the jewellery house’s involvement in local life.
This solidarity initiative is part of a global desire for environmental and societal responsibility. The forest massifs suffered significant damage during recent disasters, requiring considerable efforts for restoration, replanting and securing natural spaces. By directly linking the sale of this jewellery line to fundraising, the house Pierre Feret allows its clients to become active participants in the preservation of this fragile natural heritage.
The involvement of the designer Yasmine Feret demonstrates that artistic craftsmanship can and must play an active role within its community. This concrete financial support reinforces the actions carried out on the ground for the safeguarding of the forest, while raising awareness among jewellery buyers about the importance of protecting this forest ecosystem so dear to the residents of Fontainebleau and nature lovers.
