By Kien Lee
Born in Paris to artist parents Pablo Picasso and Françoise Gilot, Paloma Picasso follows her legacy with distinction. She started making jewelry as a teenager and was soon styling avant-garde theater productions and designing fashion jewelry for legendary couturier Yves Saint Laurent.
In 1979, Paloma was invited by Tiffany design director John Loring to create a table setting for one of Tiffany’s exhibitions. A year later, the designer’s first exclusive collection of jewelry was introduced at Tiffany.
A true artist, Paloma explains, "You breathe, you live, you eat, you go to sleep at night and you draw."
Paloma had always been inspired by her surroundings, and the blending of her European upbringing and sensibility with New York’s creativity and energy are infused in Paloma's Graffiti collection.
Originally introduced in 1983, Graffiti is one of Paloma's earliest collections for Tiffany.
Written in her own hand and taking inspiration from the graffiti culture of the 1970s in New York City, which at the time was considered vandalism, Paloma legitimized urban street art by crafting it in precious materials and making it covetable.
"In the '70s, people were starting to tag subways and walls, which had everyone outraged. I wanted to look at graffiti differently and try to make something positive out of it," says Paloma of graffiti.
The graffiti collection of graphic jewelry designs began with a single scribble and has evolved to include her signature symbols: X’s and O’s, the Heart, the Arrow, the Dove and meaningful words: Peace, Love, Wish and Forever.
The graffiti designs range from bold and strong to delicate and refined, available in sterling silver, yellow and rose gold, and with diamonds.
For this Valentine's Day, we revisit Paloma's now-iconic Love design, available as a ring, bracelet or necklace as our pick for your loved one amongst the exquisite Graffiti collection.
Ring in 18k rose gold with round brilliant diamonds. Size small. Carat total weight .20
Adding an edge that is both stylish and meaningful, Paloma Picasso's jewellery design for Tiffany & Co. is timeless.
Make it your gift this Valentine's Day.
