One of Cartier’s most iconic jewelry designs is looking a little bit different lately. Reimagined by Sacai’s founder and creative director Chitose Abe in collaboration with Cartier’s CEO and president Cyrille Vigneron, the Trinity jewelry sported a new aesthetic on the fall 2022 runway in Paris.
What began as a special commission for Abe (she wanted a single Trinity ring for herself) turned into conversations, sketches, prototypes, and, now, a six-piece capsule collection including a couple of rings, a bracelet, choker, earrings, and a convertible earring or ring. As a maison that’s particular about pursuing partnerships, Cartier does take on special commissions for certain clients that sometimes turn into more permanent collections (think of the famous flamingo brooch commissioned by the Duke of Windsor for the Duchess, Wallis Simpson, in 1940). This time, it seems, is one of those unique occasions.
Staying true to the Trinity DNA, each piece in the collection is rendered in Cartier’s signature trio of golds (yellow, white, and rose). While the capsule’s necklaces and bracelets lie relatively flat against the skin, everything else is largely different. Three-band rings extend across multiple fingers, while earrings loop over lobes and across the length of ears for an unusual and surprising effect (see photo at top).
Through the collection, Abe effectively takes the simplicity and movement of the Trinity ring, deconstructs (and sometimes distorts) it to be something entirely new but equally as timeless as the original design—something to be worn across generations and genders. “In 1924, when the Trinity was created, it was very daring for a jewelry maison such as Cartier to offer its customers such a simple and intimate object—without precious stones,” said Pierre Rainero, Cartier’s director of image, style, and heritage, in a statement. “Since its creation, this three-band ring has been worn by all generations of women and men alike. With this new collection, it continues its journey as a truly all-inclusive piece of jewelry.”
While the Trinity jewelry has been around for a decade and isn’t going anywhere, Abe’s Trinity capsule collection has breathed new life into a design that is sure to stand the test of time.
(Photos courtesy of Cartier)
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