Big Love

Remember Louis Vuitton’s chunky plastic necklaces that resembled loops of construction paper? Or its tribal accessories two seasons ago? Camille Miceli was responsible for them. And the muse of Marc Jacobs has moved to Dior (also under the parent company of Louis Vuitton, LVMH), focusing on costume jewellery and as an adviser on several leather goods lines.

Bold and chunky is second nature to Miceli. For her first 
Pre-Fall ’10 collection for Dior, she took its signature pearl and four-faceted oval logo and translated them into clasps, which also double as design motifs, on oversized geometric necklaces and cuffs, making them as eccentric and flamboyant as the label’s couture and ready-to-wear.

Born in Paris to a fine art publisher and a fashion stylist, the half-French, half-Italian started her career in fashion when she was just 15. She interned at Chanel and Azzedine Alaia before joining Chanel’s press office for seven years, and Louis Vuitton as PR director thereafter. But she got bored. In 2000, she was encouraged by Jacobs to pursue her passion for design. She also collaborated with music producer Pharrell Williams on a fine jewellery collection in 2008.

Every piece is hand-assembled by the house’s artisans.