STYLE Edit: Fred Paris, jeweller to Grace Kelly, marks 80 years with 8°0 and Baie des Anges creations

Dec 7 , 2018

Fred 8°0 collection, featuring assorted gold bracelets and a diamond-encrusted ring, was created to celebrate the French jeweller’s 80th anniversary.

The French maison, with its links to royalty and celebrities, is known for designing the diamond and ruby necklace Julia Roberts wore in ‘Pretty Woman’

If you were to look at the star-studded clientele of renowned jeweller Fred Paris Joaillier, or simply Fred, you would see the names Grace Kelly, Marlene Dietrich and the king and queen of Nepal.

But Fred is perhaps best known in popular culture for the iconic diamond and ruby necklace that actress Julia Roberts wore in the film Pretty Woman.

Fred Baie des Anges dangling earrings and bracelet in yellow gold, palm chain, diamonds, pink opal and turquoise

Despite the maison’s associations with royalty and celebrities, the founder Fred Samuels, above all, made jewellery that could be worn and enjoyed by regular women.

In 1936, Samuels described himself as a “Contemporary Creative Jeweller”, matching gemstones to royal saris or culturing pearls in a creamy-pink shade later dubbed “Fred-coloured”.

The Fred Paris of today continues to follow Samuel’s focus on designing fresh, innovative compilations such as the interchangeable Pain de Sucre rings, or the sports-oriented Force 10 collection.

Fred 8°0 double row earrings in white gold and diamonds.

So when the maison decided to mark its rich 80-year-history, it was no surprise when it unveiled the 8°0 collection: a selection created for the contemporary woman to wear and enjoy.

As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince, wrote: “Perfection is finally attained not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away.”