Louis Vuitton has officially announced the departure of Francesca Amfitheatrof, marking the end of a transformative seven-year journey in the House’s jewelry division. In a statement, the brand confirmed:
“After a successful collaboration of seven years on the creation of jewelry and high jewelry collections, Louis Vuitton and Francesca Amfitheatrof have mutually decided to part ways. With her remarkable talent and boundless creativity, Amfitheatrof has left an indelible mark on Louis Vuitton’s jewelry legacy. The House will continue to design its collections internally while Francesca Amfitheatrof prepares to unveil her next chapter in due course.”
Amfitheatrof, whose tenure saw the launch of critically acclaimed collections, reflected on her departure, saying:
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to create jewelry and high jewelry collections for Louis Vuitton. After seven intense and fulfilling years, I take immense pride in these collections and the legacy I leave behind. I look forward to sharing my exciting new endeavors soon.”
Amfitheatrof’s work at Louis Vuitton has been defined by visionary designs that seamlessly blend heritage with modernity. Her most recent collection, Damier, drew inspiration from the Maison’s iconic monogram print, reinterpreted through sleek checkerboard bracelets and rings with sculptural, raised designs that wrap effortlessly around the wrist.
We introduced a Damier ring a year ago, and people were instantly captivated. That’s when I realized—we needed an entire collection,” Amfitheatrof said at its launch at Louis Vuitton’s new headquarters.
Beyond fine jewelry, her “Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds” high jewelry collection, released last year, was a testament to Louis Vuitton’s spirit of travel. Inspired by the mechanization of railways, it featured intricate V-shaped links crafted from platinum, yellow gold, diamonds, and golden yellow sapphires, evoking the grandeur of the Industrial Revolution.
Amfitheatrof joined Louis Vuitton in April 2018, a move that underscored the House’s commitment to elevating its presence in the high jewelry sector. Under her leadership, Vuitton expanded its retail focus on jewelry, dedicating significant space in its Place Vendôme flagship—one of the world’s most prestigious jewelry destinations.
Her appointment came at a time when Vuitton was aggressively positioning itself as a major player in fine jewelry and watches, hosting private galas in exclusive locations such as Hawaii and Courchevel, where elite clients were invited to experience her designs firsthand.
Born in Tokyo and trained at Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, and the Royal College of Art in London, Francesca Amfitheatrof has been a force in the jewelry world for decades. Before joining Louis Vuitton, she made history as the first female jewelry design director at Tiffany & Co. in 2013.
Her tenure at Tiffany saw bold innovations, including a collaboration with Dover Street Market and a Super Bowl campaign featuring Lady Gaga. Prior to that, she designed for Asprey & Garrard, Chanel, Balenciaga, Fendi, and Marni and served as curator of the Gucci Museo in Florence.
Amfitheatrof’s influence extends beyond Vuitton, as she continues to design for other prestigious brands. Most recently, she showcased her work for the legendary Venetian jeweler Maison Codognato, sharing a glimpse of her “Psyche and Cupid” necklace worn by A$AP Rocky on her Instagram.
With her departure from Louis Vuitton, the jewelry world eagerly awaits her next move—one that is certain to be as groundbreaking as her illustrious career.
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