Lalique's quality is crystal clear
IT is the same story every time: a successful design philosophy that had its heyday and was retired to make way for something new. And when the time is right, it is brought back again.
Almost a century ago, glass and crystal maker Rene Lalique made his name from designing exquisite pieces of jewellery for his customers.
As he gradually turned to designing perfume bottles, other decorative pieces for the home, and ever bigger and better objets d'art - including a more recent dining table - the jewellery aspect of his work gradually faded away.
But now it is back, and such has been the success of the new, re-invented line, that Lalique has big plans for early next year in its accessory collection.
Designed by Marie-Claude Lalique, grand-daughter of the company's founder, the existing line features smooth, rounded coloured crystal, set in either silver or gold and used as pendants, bracelets, cuff links, tie pins or stick pins. Like the accessories put out by other high-profile crystal names such as Daum and Swarovski, the Lalique line has found its own market.
''People first used to come in to the boutique for something else, and then would see the jewellery and become interested in it,'' said a spokeswoman for the Lalique boutique in the Rue Royale, in Paris.
''Now, they often come in just to buy the jewellery.'' To build the accessory collection, Lalique also came out with a line of silk and crepe georgette shawls, or simple silk scarves: the new shawls were created along the lines of original jewellery styles designed by Rene Lalique in striking combinations of black and red, black and cobalt blue, midnight blue and turquoise, or a stunning black and gold.
At 1.4 square metres, they are often used to accentuate a simple black evening dress.
The ''Bois Sacres'' design - a bit more classic - features the shape of an antique Lalique crystal pendant on each corner and, in the centre, is a bold drawing of a coloured necklace, surrounded by leaves. ''Women like them because they are in very thinmaterial and they are easy to fold,'' the spokesman said.
''They look very dressy in the evening, or can be used over a pullover during the day.'' As a relative newcomer to the designer scarf and shawl market, Lalique had its work cut out for it.
Hermes, with its classic equine prints, has long established a dedicated following, while names like Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent are also known as much for their smaller, newer accessories as their mainstream items.
But Lalique was going to press ahead with its plans to develop its accessory line, the spokesman said.
''It is not like we are doing something new and following a trend,'' she said.
''Rene Lalique used to make many pieces of jewellery out of glass.
''It wasn't a fashion, but it was very expensive.
''Now, that has been replaced by crystal because of its lustre and how it looks close to the skin.
''Lalique started doing jewellery, so it is not like an idea we just had recently.
''That is why it is normal for us to continue.''
