La Belle et La Bete Collection
The first time I saw Jean Cocteau’s classic film La Belle et La Bete, (at the Paramount Theater in Oakland, California) I fell in love – not only with Jean Marias, (who plays both the Beast and the Prince) but with the look of it – so gorgeously elegant it takes your breath away, and romantic, all smoky shades of black and white and glittering light.
The film, made in 1946, is famous for its surreal quality and for how incredibly it used the existing VFX technology to create mystery, magic and enchantment. Cocteau wanted the film to evoke the illustrations and engravings of Gustave Doré and the paintings of Jan Vermeer.
La Belle et La Bete is considered to be one of the finest fantasy films (No. 15 imdb) of all time. When some months ago, I found a stash of filigree pieces and vintage rhinestones, visions of the film came back to me – and so I put the collection together with it in mind. I wanted to capture the elegance, mystery and dazzle of the film, the lacy filigree on the Beast’s costume, the magic of his palace and of the jewels he gives to Beauty.
I’m excited that ten, handmade one-of-a-kind pieces from La Belle et La Bete Collection are now at Kristin Londgren’s fabulous boutique on 3rd St. in Los Angeles! Click on the Belle et La Bete icon on the right sidebar to see some of the pieces —
Posted: November 20th, 2008 under Necklaces.