On his right pinky, jewelry designer James Taffin de Givenchy wears a ring bearing the Givenchy family crest. As the nephew of Hubert de Givenchy, he keeps the family’s history close in his Manhattan apartment, too, with a 753-page leather-bound book from 1926 that traces his lineage back to about 1300.
As outlined in the new 400-page tome Taffin: The Jewelry of James de Givenchy, out tomorrow from Rizzoli, de Givenchy gravitated to jewelry rather than clothing, taking a job in Christie’s West Coast jewelry department after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Later, he worked at the fine jeweler Veradura as vice president. Twenty years ago, he launched his own jewelry company, Taffin. Critics have compared his sophisticated designs to European jewelers like Fulco di Verdura and Jean Schlumberg.
The new book showcases over 300 pieces created by de Givenchy over the years. Click ahead to preview jewels from the book.
Topaz, Ceramic, and 18K Rose-Gold Bracelet by James de Givenchy for Taffin. Price upon request. 212-421-6222, www.taffin.com
Topaz, Montana Sapphis, Ceramic, and 18K Rose-Gold Earrings by James de Givenchy for Taffin. Price upon request. 212-421-6222, www.taffin.com
Diamond, Ceramic, and 18K Rose-Gold Ring by James de Givenchy for Taffin. Price upon request. 212-421-6222, www.taffin.com
De Givenchy working on designs
James de Givenchy for Taffin’s Madison Avenue Salon, the home of the jewelry featured in the book.
