Image via Vogue
An Italian jewelry designer, fashion model and philanthropist, Elsa Peretti has passed away, aged 80, in Spain. She was famed for her collaboration with Tiffany & Co. having designed some of the most iconic pieces for the brand and her works are included in the 20th century collection of the British Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
In her life and career she had modelled for the likes of Halston, Helmut Newton, and Francesco Scavullo, and arrived at Tiffany's with her modern jewelry in 1974.
Some of her most coveted designs at Tiffany & Co. were the “Bone” cuffs, “Open Heart” pendants and earrings and “Bean” design pieces.
RIP Elsa Peretti — one of the chicest women ever to have lived pic.twitter.com/06uqDmIZKS
— Hannah Tindle (@hannahtindle) March 19, 2021
Having been a constant at the high-end diamond jewelry label, Tiffany & Co. released a statement about the loss of Peretti. In the statement, they described her as “A woman who was larger-than-life,” who “touched everyone at Tiffany & Co.” adding, “Elsa was not only a designer but a way of life.”
Celebrating the legacy of jewelry designer #ElsaPeretti, who passed away at the age of 80 on Thursday. This 1971 ivory cuff in our collection was made for Halston; it is displayed here alongside the Vogue magazine it appears in, as photographed by Irving Penn. pic.twitter.com/uZZ8c1KtgY
— FIDM Museum (@FIDMMuseum) March 20, 2021
Tiffany & Co. also hailed Elsa’s work and the way she revolutionized the world of jewelry design and how “her collections of organic, sensual forms have inspired generations.”
Elsa’s relationship with style and the natural world was profoundly personal and strongly reflected in her creations. Describing her work as innovative, the brand admired the designer for the way she “explored nature with the acumen of a scientist and the vision of a sculptor.”
Remembering legendary design icon Elsa Peretti (1940–2021). “Every moment with Elsa is an unexpected adventure.” —John Loring, Design Director emeritus of Tiffany & Co. #ElsaPeretti #TiffanyAndCo pic.twitter.com/Pz5aY2akw1
— Tiffany & Co. (@TiffanyAndCo) March 20, 2021
Not only did Elsa Peretti leave behind an enviable lifelong career, but also causes that she was passionate about. The famed jewelry designer was heavily inspired by nature and dedicated much of her time to “giving back,” and wanted to do as much as possible to preserve natural resources and protect the planet – seeing it as a duty for all humans to do the same.
RIP Elsa Peretti. Sculptor of elemental forms, conservationist, cultural figure, shrewd businesswoman, and design revolutionary who wore Halston pyjamas and wasn't precious about white couches
— Nathalie Atkinson (@NathAt) March 19, 2021
Horst P. Horst (1976) pic.twitter.com/eVDuoOZj7X
The statement read, “As the president and founder of The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation dedicated to the memory of her father, Elsa was committed to supporting the environment, social welfare, human rights, as well as the preservation of arts and culture.”
The statement from Tiffany & Co. concluded, “Our hearts go out to her family, friends and family of artisans and craftspeople who realized her fantasies, she will be deeply missed by all of us at Tiffany & Co.”
