On Friday, March 17, 2023, the tables, the guests, and Worthy’s McCartney’s resplendent images in her slide lecture on Cartier all sparkled brightly in the Pool Pavilion at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day and the lecture, many guests were festively bedecked in green and adorned with Cartier jewelry.
Thanks to Education Chair Adrienne Horwitch, it was an elegant and fabulous affair. Adrienne introduced Worthy, the Regional High Jewelry Sales Director for Cartier, and a longtime Patron Member of the Friends of Robinson Gardens. She has traveled extensively to Europe and throughout the United States and has managed their stores in the US. Adrienne added that Worthy is a mentor to newer team members for Cartier’s high end collection pieces.
Throughout the lecture, you could feel Worthy’s passion and love for Cartier. A charming and extremely knowledgeable speaker, she has worked for Cartier for 31 years. She said, “I love what I do. Half of my career has been in workshops, whether in repairs or in actual creations, so I do understand the technical side as well as the client side. I’ve been very fortunate. It is my honor to speak to you about the company that really is my whole life.” Worthy added that during the pandemic, although the boutiques were closed, no one was laid off and everyone was paid. “It says something about our company that they took care of us the entire time.”
Worthy explained that Cartier excels on the high-end level; they create and sell the most and are the largest no.1 jeweler on the high level. In addition, Cartier is very focused on philanthropy. For 40 years, they have had the Fondation Cartier in Paris which focuses on the arts. They have also supported for 15 years the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards for female entrepreneurs around the world. In 2022, Worthy visited the Initiative Awards in Dubai. Worthy explained that Cartier does not support stones that come from conflict areas — they have stopped buying from Burma and mineral-rich Afghanistan. “We take a philanthropic, not a commercial approach.”
Worthy then gave an overview of the history of Cartier. Alfred Cartier opened his store in Paris in 1847. He married into the Worth family that was famous for creating couture gowns, although it was more of a business partnership rather than a love match. Alfred had three sons who created today’s modern Cartier. Louis was in Paris, Jacques in London, and Pierre in New York.
The location in New York is the building on 52nd Street and 5th Avenue. It was traded for a strand of pearls in 1917. The Plants owned the mansion, and Mae Plant desired a string of beautiful natural pearls from Cartier. So, for the price of $100 and the pearls, Cartier got the mansion. Natural pearls were very rare at the time and accounted for 60% of their business.
Worthy then showed images of iconic pieces of Cartier. The love bracelet that was created in the 1960s is a timeless design that has longevity and is still sold today.
To thank the American generals who helped France during World War I, Cartier created the tank watch “which is one of the most recognized and continuously made watches today. It is an honor that Jackie Kennedy chose to wear our watches when she could have worn anything. She is an icon for us,” said Worthy.
The creation of the Tutti Frutti collection was an exciting time with its use of colored stones. The heiress Daisy Fellowes bought these jewels as did Cole Porter for his wife. One of the reasons for their popularity was that the pieces were transformable and could come apart to make a bracelet out of a necklace, or a brooch or ear clips. This versatility was ideal for travel as it cut down on the number of jewelry cases needed. It is still one of the best-selling features of the high-end jewelry creations as you can mix and match pieces.
Worthy continued, “I love the high-end jewelry events. They are my chance to see the really beautiful pieces that never make it to a boutique because they always sell. We make one or two collections a year like this.”
In the 30s, another iconic collection was created by Jeanne Toussaint. A muse of Louis Cartier, she loved Africa and loved to draw animals. Toussaint was very creative and designed the panther collection. Louis believed in her vision. The Duchess of Windsor had a ring where the panther head moved from side to side, and when she moved the head, it was a signal that she was ready to leave the party. From the 1930s to today, Cartier makes the panthers in jewelry.
In 1924, the trinity ring was created. Its three colors of white, yellow, and rose gold represent love, friendship, and fidelity, respectively. It was reimagined in a limited edition, popular with collectors, where part of the ring goes over two of your fingers and can be even worn on the ear.
Cartier is now owned by Richemont, one of the largest luxury companies that also owns Dunhill, Jaeger-Le Coultre, and Van Cleef & Arpels among many other brands.
Worthy concluded, “We create timeless icons that last generations. It is intended for you to wear it and enjoy it for your lifetime as well as your children’s.
Worthy generously gifted the attendees Cartier stationary and a stunning book on Cartier jewelry. It was such a beautiful and fascinating lecture that Patty Elias said, “Worthy was so interesting, I could have listened for five hours, and I would have loved every minute of it!”
Adrienne’s tables were a beautiful vision in green satin tablecloths and white flowers nestled in gold vases, reflected on a circular mirror. Colorful “gems” strewn across the tablescape completed the jewel-themed scene.
A delicious menu of Tricolore salad with arugula, radicchio. endive, parmesan, lemon shallot dressing; Skuna Bay salmon with lemon, microgreens; Tuscan herb potato broccoli hash, roasted zucchini with basil; and a flourless chocolate cake with berries was catered by chef Gino Vigil.
Guests also enjoyed mimosas, coffee, croissants, jam, and French butter as they arrived at the Gardens.
A big thank you to Adrienne who creates inspiring events one after another with magic, beauty, and elegance! Don’t miss these fantastic Education lectures organized by our amazing Adrienne!
Post by Linda Meadows
Friends of Robinson Gardens Board Member
Editor of the VRG eNewsletter, the Happenings
Photos by Linda Meadows, Adrienne Horwitch, and Sharon Gart
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