The early chapters of Cartier's history were defined by men.
Louis-François Cartier founded his eponymous jewellery house in Paris in 1847. His son Alfred took over the family business while third-generation Louis, Pierre and Jacques played integral roles in the company's success.
In a male-dominated society, the appointment of Jeanne Toussaint as its first female creative director marked a new era in 1933.
The role and influence of women in the maison's history are celebrated in an exhibition presented in partnership with the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM).
Untill Aug 14, the museum's Gallery 8 houses the "Cartier And Women" exhibition, whose series of narratives reflects on the brand's connections with influential figures and their bond with jewellery.
Symbolising independence and power, Toussaint's panther became a signature motif. The Panthère brooch designed in 1949 and acquired by the Duchess of Windsor is one example of her legacy while her trademark "Toussaint taste" went on to influence the most elegant women of her time.
The exhibition features jewellery, timepieces, objects, accessories and archival records from the 19th century to the present day. Highlights include pieces from the Cartier Collection, which embodies the essence of Eastern and Western cultures, witnessing the changes in social and fashion trends.
The first of the four thematic sections, "Royal And Aristocratic Women: Elegance And Prestige", traces how royalty and elite ladies played a role in Cartier's early history in the 19th century.
Advances in jewellery design are examined in the "New Women: Breaking With Tradition" section while the influence of art from China and other parts of the world are explored in the "Inquisitive Women: Cross-cultural Inspirations" section.
The final "Influential Women: Glamorous Legends" section focuses on the close ties between Cartier jewellery and contemporary female icons such as Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Brigitte Lin, Carina Lau and Pansy Ho.
Tickets for the exhibition priced at HK$120 (around 520 baht) allow access to all galleries in the HKPM. Cartier has also sponsored 5,000 complimentary admission tickets for the underprivileged.
