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Dior Pays Homage to Venice with Dazzling New High Jewelry Collection

At the Palazzo del Casinò, the House of Dior and Victoire de Castellane introduced Diorissima, a wondrous array of 141 pieces that intertwines the beautiful visual language of the house along with the Italian city

By Jacqueline Terrebonne
Models in elegant dresses pose on a staircase with a backdrop of rich red curtains at a fashion show.
Dior’s Diorissima collection was unveiled at the Palazzo del Casinò in Venice. Photo: Alessandro Garofalo

Over the centuries, Venice has served as inspiration for countless artists. From Titian and Tintoretto to Sargent and Monet, La Serenissima plays muse in myriad ways. And it’s not just the painters; there are the filmmakers, poets, and composers, who have been seduced by the city’s profoundly rich atmosphere. Now, Victoire de Castellane can be added to that illustrious list with her new collection of Dior High Jewelry.

Titled Diorissima, the wondrous array of 141 pieces intertwines the beautiful visual language of the House of Dior along with the Italian city. The lush allure of hidden gardens, the watery blues of the glinting canal waters, and the twinkling constellations are transformed through jewels and savoir faire into necklaces, earrings, bracelets—and even belts, headbands, and hair combs.

A person wearing a green floral dress and ornate rings on their fingers, showcasing elegant fashion details.
Diorissima. Photo: Courtesy of Dior
Model wearing a light blue textured gown with layered blue gemstone necklaces on a runway.
Diorissima. Photo: Courtesy of Dior
Model wearing a backless, pleated white gown with gold and gemstone detailing, captured from the back at a fashion show.
Diorissima. Photo: Courtesy of Dior

To debut this extraordinary achievement, Dior hosted a sumptuous gala at Venice’s Palazzo del Casinò. Within the soaring volumes of the Rationalist building’s Art Deco-influenced interiors, the lavish affair commenced with a cocktail hour and dinner, where tables with adorned with towering, gilded palm trees; an abundance of greenery punctuated with Murano glass flowers as well as orchids; and Dior Maison place settings depicting playing card motifs along with a menagerie of intricate handblown goblets.

Model wearing yellow floral dress with intricate jewelry, dark background with bokeh lights.
Diorissima. Photo: Courtesy of Dior
Back view of an elegant red velvet evening gown with floral embellishments and a delicate brooch.
Diorissima. Photo: Courtesy of Dior
Person wearing a pink textured dress adorned with intricate jewelry on their fingers and wrist.
Diorissima. Photo: Courtesy of Dior

Despite the marvelous pomp and circumstance of the multi-course feast prepared by three Michelin starred chef Mauro Colagreco, that was just the warm-up act. After dessert, guests were ushered into another vast space to settle into red velvet, curved banquettes for the presentation of Diorissima. A cadre of models dressed in Dior haute couture wove through the space, surprising attendees with every turn revealing another bauble— with glittering creating tucked into the hair, pinned to the back of a dress, or encircling an ankle. Each piece was a unique testimony to incredible artisanry more than the mere size of the stones.

Elegant pink and white gemstone floral necklace on black background, featuring intricate floral and leaf designs.
Diorissima Glycines Necklace. Photo: Courtesy of Dior
Elegant gold and turquoise earrings with floral design, adorned with pearls and teardrop-shaped crystals on black background.
Diorissima Sunset Earrings. Photo: Courtesy of Dior

Among the standouts from the Diorissima collection, which showcases de Castellane’s special command of color combinations, is the Glycines necklace, which resembles graciously tumbling wisteria blooms with a mix of over 4,000 round-cut and pear-cut stones, anchored by 12 magnificent pink spinels. Another highlight was the sunset earrings, which echo the glow of the setting sun, in this case a yellow diamond surrounded by pearls and rays of more yellow diamonds while turquoise beads and lacquer create the blue sky.

Intricate floral ring featuring a large sapphire surrounded by colorful gems and diamond accents on a black background.
Diorissima Recif Fleuri Ring. Photo: Courtesy of Dior
Intricate gemstone necklace with floral design featuring colorful gemstones and a central blue teardrop pendant on black background.
Diorissima Recif Fleuri Necklace. Photo: Courtesy of Dior
Colorful floral brooch with blue and pink gemstones on a black background.
Diorissima Recif Fleuri Brooch/Hairclip. Photo: Courtesy of Dior

One of the absolute most spectacular stones, a 10.27-carat, pear-cut blue sapphire, was showcased in the Récif Fleuri necklace, which is an ode to marine life. More than 1,300 stones and over 2,100 hours of work went into this tour de force, which also highlights Dior’s mastery of lacquer work. All in all, each creation is an absolute masterpiece, which, just like the greatest artworks inspired by the city, will prove to have an absolutely timeless allure.