Alex Soldier Designs Princess Grace Award Given To Queen Latifah by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco

Prince Albert II and Queen Latifah who is holding the Prince Rainier III Award created by Alex Soldier

New York-based jewelry artist Alex Soldier designed the Prince Rainier III Award that was given to Queen Latifah during the 2016 Princess Grace Awards Gala, held at Cipriani's 25 Broadway in New York City.

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco presented the award to the famous singer and actor for her philanthropy across many charities

The Prince Rainier III Award created by Alex Soldier

Soldier is known for his handmade jewels and art objects. The lean statuette incorporates symbols representing all three disciplines that were close to the heart of Grace Kelly, princess of Monaco, and lauded by the foundation: theater, dance and film. It is composed of connected symbols denoting these three art forms. The modern streamline award also features an abstract version of the American flag and the PGF-USA logo in a repeated pattern. It’s made primarily of platinum-plated silver with black obsidian and Swarovski crystal accents. The metalwork displays a special texturing technique that is signature to Soldier’s style. He created smaller versions of the award, which were presented to each Princess Grace Awards winner to wear as a pin.

The award was named in honor of Prince Rainier III who helped begin the Foundation more than 30 years ago to honor his wife, Grace Kelly’s legacy.

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA—which awards grants in the form of scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships to emerging talent in theater, dance and film—commissioned the New York-based artist to create the award in 2009 to present to a celebrity in the arts each year who has made it his or her personal mission to give back. The design has been used ever since.

Alex Soldier White Swan earrings worn by Queen Latifah

Alex Soldier’s jewels were also in full view during the event. Latifah wore Soldier’s White Swan Earrings. The form of the center stone resembles a swan's head, and the elongated diamond bar is curved into the shape of its neck. The Limited edition drop earrings are made with a white topaz center stone, white quartz and white diamonds.

Jewelry designer Alex Soldier (right) attends the 2016 Princess Grace Awards Gala with his daughter Maria, Alex Soldier brand’s creative director. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Princess Grace Foundation)

Soldier attended the event with his daughter Maria, Alex Soldier brand’s creative director. She wore several Alex Soldier jewels, including the Aster Flower centered with a large, faceted lemon citrine Astra with yellow sapphire and white diamond accents and detailed metalwork. It can be worn as a brooch, pendant, ring or a cuff. She also wore the Swirl cuff with rhodolite garnets; and Royal Earrings made of blue topaz, lemon citrine and rhodolite garnets set in 18k white gold.

The Alex Soldier Aster Flower jewel centered with a large, faceted lemon citrine with yellow sapphire and white diamond accents. It can be worn as a brooch, pendant, ring or cuff.

Other event highlights: Leslie Odom Jr. and Camille A. Brown received the Princess Grace Statue Award. Naomi Campbell served as the evening’s host and NYC Ballet principals Tiler Peck (Princess Grace Award Winner) and Robert Fairchild performed.

Alex Soldier Swirl cuff with rhodolite garnets

Established more than 30 years ago by Prince Rainier III to honor his wife Grace Kelly, princess of Monaco, the Princess Grace Foundation-USA’s annual gala celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of emerging artists in theater, dance and film in the presence of the royal family of Monaco.  

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Charlotte Casiraghi Unveiled as Montblanc's New Global Brand Ambassador during SIHH

Charlotte Casiraghi, Montblanc’s new global brand ambassador at SIHH 2015

Waiting for the announcement of Montblanc’s new female global ambassador in the luxury brand’s exhibition space during the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva, a few of us from the UK and other places were trying to guess who it would be. A Montblanc representative from the Middle East knew who it was but refused to say, although she gave some hints. 

Guess whose guess came the closest? I said it would be someone from the Monaco Royal family. 

It turned out to be Charlotte Casiraghi, the daughter of Caroline, Princess of Hanover, and the granddaughter of Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and American actress Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco. She is seventh in line to the throne of Monaco, according to Wikipedia.

Following her brief appearance in the booth, she joined the German luxury brand for a formal dinner at the President Wilson Hotel, which I attended.

Jérôme Lambert, Montblanc CEO, and Charlotte Casiraghi, Montblanc brand ambassador, at SIHH 2015

In addition to her royal pedigree, Casiraghi is an equestrian champion, writer and film producer. She will appear in Montblanc’s upcoming advertising campaign, as she takes on the role of worldwide ambassador for the German luxury house. Her primary role will be as the face of Montblanc’s Bohème collection, consisting of ladies watches, jewelry and writing instruments. The collection was first unveiled in August in Shanghai, and is gradually being released worldwide.

“She perfectly represents the Bohème lady of today, with her charming combination of style and substance,” said Jérôme Lambert, Montblanc International CEO. “Her beauty, allure and charisma are matched by her fascinating personality and her many accomplishments, from sport to business or philanthropy.”

Those attending the Geneva event included Taiwanese-born actress and Montblanc brand ambassador Kwai Lun Mei, French actor Pierre Niney, best known for his portrayal of Yves Saint Laurent in the movie of the same name, badminton champion and Montblanc China brand ambassador Lin Dan, and fashion blogger Adam Gallagher. 

Bohème Date Automatic Jewellery watch with a diamond pavé dial and red-gold bezel adorned with diamonds. It’s powered by a MB 24.14 automatic movement.

Casiraghi has a well-rounded resume. Her journalistic skills (very important for a luxury brand best known for its writing instruments) include contributing to publications as a writer and editor. As an environmental awareness advocate, she co-founded eco-friendly magazines, Above and Ever Manifesto, where she uses fashion, art, photography and design to raise consciousness of the endangered environment. She also co-founded Swoon Productions; a Monaco-based company that produces videos, documentaries and short films.

However, her greatest passion is in equestrian sports, and as an accomplished show jumper, she participated in several international competitions, including the Global Champions Tour. In 2010, she was appointed Honorary President of the Jumping International de Monte-Carlo. 

She also lends her support to charitable organizations in the Principality of Monaco where she lives and beyond. 

Casiraghi did not speak at either event. In a statement she said she is “thrilled to be collaborating with Montblanc, a luxury brand that stands for outstanding European craftsmanship, excellence in design and the finest quality pieces. With its heritage of sophistication, Montblanc excels at creating enduring pieces with a truly distinctive contemporary yet timeless style. The maison is also committed to the advancement of arts and culture, and has been on many occasions an active supporter of arts.”

This is the second time in recent years Montblanc has turned to the royal family of Monaco. In 2011, it came out with a jewelry collection, called Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco, as a tribute to Princess Grace and Monaco.

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Montblanc Jewelry Designs by Susie Otero

Princesse Grace de Monaco Petales Entrelaces ring in 18k pink gold and diamond pavé.

HAMBURG, Germany — Montblanc, the luxury brand most known for its high-end writing instruments, has been making a big push into women’s jewelry. About a year ago it brought in Parisian jewelry designer Susie Otero to ramp up its jewelry offerings and the impact has been immediate.

The new managing director of jewelry created the Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco as an homage to the late Hollywood actress and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly. Limited editions of the collections were first released in September, 2011, making its mark from Monaco to Hollywood.

Princesse Grace de Monaco Petales de Rose ring in 18k white gold and diamond pavé.

This month, the company will introduce 24 new designs, interpreted by Otero, for its iconic 4810 Collection, based on the Montblanc six-pointed star. Also this year the company will release a basic black-and-white silver, lacquer and wood collection by Otero based on various sculptural oval shapes. If that’s not enough the company will challenge the limits of time and love with a collection based on the infinity symbol, scheduled for a September release.

For Otero, this is an opportunity to bring a feminine touch and a bit of savoir faire to the German brand, which largely appeals to men. She’s developing jewelry using simple motifs where the complexity is subtle and is reflected in the use of high-quality craftsmanship. It’s also jewelry designed for contemporary, active women that can be worn throughout the day and for all occasions.

Otero speaks slowly and deliberately but with great passion and her voice has a ringing tone (a sparkle if you will) as she describes her designs and the inspiration behind them.

Susie Otero prepares to show pieces from the Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco in a conference room at Montblanc's headquarters in Hamburg, Germany. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

In a conference room inside Montblanc’s headquarters, Otero showed me two lines from the Princess Grace collection released in the beginning of the year. The Pétales de Rose made with white gold and diamonds and the Pétales Entrelacés made of pink gold and diamonds.

Otero described Grace Kelly as someone with great beauty and taste who was considered royalty in her work as an actress and literally in her life. At the same time she always appeared accessible. It was this contrast that was a challenge for Otero to recreate in a jewelry collection. She took this task very seriously.

Montblanc 4810 Pendant and bracelet in 18k pink gold and pavé of various sized diamonds.

“This is what I wanted to bring to the jewelry—this kind of contrast,” she said. “I wanted to create something that really was linked to this woman in terms of esthetic and even in terms of feeling. It was important for me because if not then you don’t do it.”

She adds, “We needed to create a jewelry collection that could fit her not only esthetically but also in a more spiritual way, meaning that it could be something that she would consider if she was alive. The idea came to work on the most important part of the rose or the essence of the rose, which are the petals. The petals are what symbolize the rose because every petal is different. Every petal has a different movement, different shape and even a different color. And the petals are very lively.”

Montblanc 4810 earrings and bracelet in 18k pink gold and diamond pave edges for the earrings and polished pink gold for the bracelet.

The Pétales de Rose line symbolizes a special rose given to her as a wedding present by her husband, Prince Rainier, as well as her love of flowers. Otero created a line of jewelry based on four rose petals that fall in a seemingly haphazard fashion to reflect the randomness of nature. A light, delicate diamond pavé is used to signify morning dew on the golden petals. Links connecting the rose petals are nearly invisible so the petals appear to be floating.

“What really was important for me is that when you wear this you don’t see the links,” Otero says. “The four petals are close together and put in a way that when you thrown them on the table because of the direction, every petal is not the same and the angle of the petal is not the same. This is what brings light and also life to the jewelry.”

With the Pétales Entrelacés line, Otero interlaces two pink-gold petals (shaped like teardrops). This is designed to represent the lifelong union of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier. Gentle concave shapes create movement in pieces that at first glance seem to be flat surfaces. “As you may have realized by now I don’t like flat,” she says. The gold surface is highly polished so it reflects light and again, creates movement.

Princesse Grace de Monaco Petales Entrelaces bracelet in 18k pink gold and diamond pavé.

“I like when the jewelry has movement and light and shines and follows the shape of the wrist, the ears, the (finger) and lives with the lady as she wears it,” Otero says in a way that only the French can describe their designs. “It’s really important.”

In some cases diamond pavé is used on a single petal shape to add sparkle and create contrast with its polished partner. And there are practical uses designed into the pieces. For example, one of the rings in the line doesn’t close completely so women can more easily move it over their knuckle.

Otero also showed me her interpretations for the 4810 collection. Otero updated the iconic collection based on the Montblanc star logo, with modern hoop earrings, pendants and amulet bracelets. Otero uses a more subtle approach when interpreting the star.

Montblanc 4810 pendant in 18k white gold and pavé of various sized diamonds.

“The star is not anymore the emblem but it becomes a motif in our jewelry,” she says. “This means that when you look to the jewelry pieces, it’s not obvious that it’s a star … for those who don’t know the emblem of Montblanc, they don’t exactly see it as an emblem.”

The designs in pure white or pink gold are delicate and thin with many interpretations of the star shape. Diamond pavé is used extensively and in different ways in this collection. For example, for a pendant, diamonds of different sizes are used, which give a cobblestone appearance. On the reverse side of the piece, the impressions made by the diamond pavé have its own intricate pattern. “I like to see the jewelry from the back,” she says. “It’s where you see if there is a real savoir faire. The treatment on the back has to be as nice as the front. It is a really key thing in each piece of jewelry.”

Finally. Otero showed me various pieces of silver, lacquer and wood jewelry that features large, oval, sculptural shapes. The materials—largely black and white—are highly polished and often combined. Sometimes the silver is coated with rose gold; most of the pieces are coated with a lacquer that has sparkle. The pieces reflect an art deco esthetic.

“I’m trying to find the volume, the movement with the shapes so you will find some pear shapes and ovals mixed with materials like wood, rose gold and several styles and shapes,” she said. “Lacquer, white and black, but with a sparkle inside is something quite new in jewelry.”

The infinity collection will have to wait for a few months. But no doubt the motif, while simple and straightforward, will also have movement, shine, sparkle and other surprises and complexities that are among the hallmarks of Otero’s work.

Prince Albert, Princess Charlene at Montblanc Pre-Oscar Brunch For Grace Kelly Collection

Princess Charlene and Albert II, Prince of Monaco, attend the Montblanc jewelry brunch celebrating Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco at the Hotel Bel-Air. (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images For Montblanc)

Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene were among a full room of celebrities and royalty who attended the Montblanc Champaign Brunch at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles Saturday to get an up close view of the Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco. It was a final chance for many of the guests to choose a Montblanc piece to wear on the red carpet at the Oscars, being held Sunday.

It was the first time Montblanc showcased the complete collection, which is intended to honor the style and majesty of one of the 20th century’s most revered leading women. The collection is designed as a tribute to Princess Grace of Monaco, who is regarded by many as the epitome of classic beauty. The collection features fine and high jewelry as well as writing instruments and timepieces in the Swiss watch-making tradition.

A general view of the atmosphere at the Montblanc jewelry brunch celebrating Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco at the Hotel Bel-Air on February 25 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images For Montblanc)

Among the guests in attendance were: actresses Rosario Dawson, Teri Hatcher, Nastassja Kinski and Rosanna Arquette; model Petra Nemcova; and socialite Lady Victoria Hervey.

The actress attends the Montblanc jewelry brunch wearing the Princesse Grace de Monaco Petales Entrelaces motif. (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images For Montblanc)

As reported earlier, Montblanc held exclusive viewings of its Princess Grace collection and other offerings during the week at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel “Royal Suite Styling Lounge.”

Petra Nemcova attends the Montblanc jewelry brunch wearing items from the Princesse Grace De Monaco collection. (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images For Montblanc)

Montblanc Honors Princess Grace with a Sparkling Collection

Princess Grace

There may be no greater symbol of royalty, style and fashion than Grace Kelly. The Philadelphia-born actress was thrust into the international spotlight when she married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, and became known throughout the world as Princess Grace. It was a role she was born to play and till this day she is looked upon as one the world’s great fashion icons.

With this in mind, Montblanc, has created the “Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco,” as a tribute to the person and the place. It is a limited-edition collection of jewelry, timepieces and writing instruments, encompassing the specialties of the luxury brand. All of the pieces are embellished with filigree petal cut stones, honoring the Grace de Monaco pink rose, a flower named after Kelly in 1956 for her wedding day. Diamonds and pink sapphires are strong influences in the collection.

The collection comes with a charity partnership between Montblanc and the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, which assists emerging talents in the performing arts.

The haute joaillerie collection is made up of three one-of-a-kind sets featuring petal cut stones and diamonds. Each set includes a necklace of cascading pink sapphires and diamonds (pictured), long earrings ending with drop cut pink sapphires and a refined matching bracelet.

The timepiece collection consists of a limited edition of eight watches in 18k red gold with 76 baguette cut diamonds on the bezel and the horns (3.30 cts.). The crown is topped with the Montblanc diamond (0.05 ct, F-G color). There’s a three-dimensional pink sapphire drop at 6 o’clock. The flange and dial are set with a cascade of 177 brilliant cut diamonds (0.53 cts.). The dial is made of white mother-of-pearl. A white alligator strap and a buckle are set with 76 brilliant cut diamonds (0.32 cts.).The case back is engraved with the Princesse Grace de Monaco monogram.

The fountain pen, available in a limited edition of three as a tribute to Princess Grace’s three children, is crafted entirely of champagne colored solid gold with diamonds and rubies on the cap and barrel. The Principality of Monaco coat of arms provided the inspiration for a circle of rhomboid-shaped cut rubies arranged on the cap of the writing instrument. The piece is topped with a heart-shaped hole of the gold nib and the finely engraved Princesse Grace de Monaco monogram on the cap-top.