Fred Joaillier

Fred Samuel, founder of the illustrious Fred Joaillier, was a master of colored stones who seduced his clients with the stylish lifestyle of the French Riviera at its peak. Born in Buenos Aires in 1908, he was the son of a French jeweler who had immigrated to Argentina. Paris provided the backdrop for Samuel’s career and the opening of his first jewelry shop in 1936, focusing on brightly hued stones such as the extraordinary Golden Sun, a 105-carat yellow diamond. The jeweler became famous for bringing original drawings by Jean Cocteau to glittering life; news of these creations spread, and royals from Nepal began asking him for pieces to match their clothing. Samuel’s oldest son further diversified the jewelry line, fashioning a gift for his wife of braided marine cables secured to a buckle, which became the prototype for the brand’s signature Force 10 collection.

When Samuel opened a new boutique in Monaco, he met Princess Grace, who would become a loyal client, along with actresses such as Marlene Dietrich. In 1989, he designed the necklace of twenty-three heart-shaped rubies interlaced with diamonds that Julia Roberts wore in the movie Pretty Woman. When the company was entrusted to Yan Sicard in 1996, the new creative director continued to pioneer novel creations, such as a ring in the shape of a violin that recalled the works of French-born American artist Arman. In 2012, a partnership with Kate Moss led to an exclusive collection based on the model’s tattoos, keeping the modern ingenuity of Fred Joaillier in the spotlight today.

Fred Joaillier chronicles the rich history of a French jewelry brand that has cultivated a timeless mystique through its custom pieces created for iconic films, movie stars, and royalty. Discover Fred’s dazzling collections in this opulent slipcase volume.