It is not quite as baroque as the passionate music for which the conductor William Christie is famous. But the sword created by Chanel Fine Jewelry to mark the American-born musician’s entry into the Académie des Beaux-Arts — the highest French cultural honor — includes another of his passions: flowers.


The sword, with a hilt enameled with red and white tulips, contains natural materials like wood, shagreen and rock crystal to express his love of nature. It was presented to Mr. Christie in Paris last week at a musical celebration that also marked 30 years since the foundation of his Les Arts Florissants musical ensemble. For Chanel, it was the first chance to show its high jewelry skills on a sword for an academy member. And for Mr. Christie, it was a chance to show off his Academician’s coat, tailored by Christian Lacroix and embroidered by François Lesage.

Suzy Menkes | February 2, 2010
Weblink: www.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/fashion/02iht-repee.html
Photo credits: efu.com