Fred Samuel: The story of the visionary jeweler between innovation and timeless elegance
The origins of a visionary jeweler
Born on August 3, 1908 in Buenos Aires to an Alsatian jeweller father, Fred Samuel arrived in Paris and began studying jewelry at the age of 16. He opened his first boutique on rue Royale in Paris in 1936 , writing on his business card: "Fred Samuel, the modern jewelry designer ".
A journey marked by courage and innovation
Enlisting in the French Foreign Legion during the war, he became a prisoner of war , escaped, and distinguished himself as a member of the Resistance , for which he was awarded the Legion of Honour , the Croix de Guerre , and the Military Medal . After the war, he returned to jewelry making and introduced cultured pearls to France, giving his name to a particular shade of pearl, a light creamy pink : the " Fred " colour .
A style inspired by the sea and great artistic collaborations
Known for his relaxed and elegant style, Fred Samuel created collections inspired by his passion for sailing and the marine world . His eldest son, Henri Samuel , designed the Force 10 bracelet in 1966 , combining a steel marine cable and a gold shackle , officially launched in 1978 and which has become an iconic classic .
Fred also built his reputation by collaborating with renowned artists such as Jean Cocteau and Bernard Buffet , to create their own jewelry in 1962 and 1971 , and then with the organization of an exhibition of Georges Braque 's jewelry in 1972 .
The Mediterranean and precious stones are at the heart of his creation.
Passionate about the South and the Mediterranean , Fred Samuel opened a boutique in Monaco in 1976 , in the presence of Grace Kelly . The company became a supplier to the princely family . At the inauguration, Princess Grace wore a symbolic ring depicting two intertwined panther paws .
This ring , reinterpreted today in the Ombre Féline collection by Valérie Samuel , Fred Samuel's granddaughter and the house's artistic director, has become iconic. In 1977 , the house acquired the Soleil d'Or , a yellow diamond of over 100 carats , a symbol of Fred Samuel's love for colored gemstones .
Fred and cinema: a precious and lasting bond
The House of Fred maintains a close link with the seventh art . Among the famous collaborations are the diamond necklace adorned with 23 rubies in the shape of a heart, worn by Julia Roberts in the film Pretty Woman ( 1990 ), as well as the necklace worn by Lily Collins in the series Emily in Paris .
A house now integrated into the LVMH group
In 1995 , Maison Fred joined the LVMH group, thus strengthening its international dimension and its sustainability .
