Suzanne Belperron
Suzanne Belperron often times did not even sign her pieces nothing that they were original, distinctive, and recognizable. She even termed it “Mon style est ma signature” and so it is.
Suzanne Belperron, is a French jewelry designer who was born Madeleine Suzanne Marie Claire Vuillerme in 1900 in the eastern French region of Jura. She was educated at the Municipal School of Music & Fine Arts in Besançon and was encouraged by her mother to persue the arts. After graduating she moved to Paris and found employment at the Maison René Boivin, which by this point was being run by the founder’s widow, Jeanne Boivin. In 1924 she married Jean Belperron subsequently moving to an apartment in Montmartre, a Bohemian area of Paris. This time, after World War I Paris was exploding in creativity across all art forms, from fashion and music to dance and literature. Belperron began to develop her style and focused on the modern woman. Madame Boivin would not allow her to put her name to her designs or receive credit for them just focused on continuing the Boivin name. Belperron, surely disappointed she couldn't make her name with Boivin left the company in 1932. Gemstone and pearl dealer, Bernard Herz became the technical and artistic director of the Maison Bernard Herz, setting up a private salon at 59, rue de Châteaudun where she designed jeweler for an ever increasing circle of clients. These clients like her style and elegance and included some of the most influential women of the time. She used a wide variety of gemstones and employed specialist craftsmen such as the lapidary Adrien Louart to craft one of a kind pieces. The workshop at Groëné et Darde created each piece and she meticulously supervised them all. Her jewels began appearing in the top fashion magazines and were featured regularly in French, British and American Vogue magazine as well as Harpers Bazaar.
World War II changed everything for the Maison Bernard Herz. Belperron was arrested in her office by the Gestapo on November 2nd 1942 whilst Herz was simultaneously being arrested at his home. Belperron was released after questioning, however Herz, who was Jewish, was detained and deported to Germany where he never returned. The company was confiscated and liquidated by the Germans and Belperron registered it under her own name until the return to Paris in late 1946. Herz’s son, Jean arrived and they formed a new company together, Jean Herz-Suzanne Belperron. Belperron passed away in 1983 leaving behind her a detailed archive which is now used to authenticate the jewelry as many do not have signatures.
Suzanne Belperron, is a French jewelry designer who was born Madeleine Suzanne Marie Claire Vuillerme in 1900 in the eastern French region of Jura. She was educated at the Municipal School of Music & Fine Arts in Besançon and was encouraged by her mother to persue the arts. After graduating she moved to Paris and found employment at the Maison René Boivin, which by this point was being run by the founder’s widow, Jeanne Boivin. In 1924 she married Jean Belperron subsequently moving to an apartment in Montmartre, a Bohemian area of Paris. This time, after World War I Paris was exploding in creativity across all art forms, from fashion and music to dance and literature. Belperron began to develop her style and focused on the modern woman. Madame Boivin would not allow her to put her name to her designs or receive credit for them just focused on continuing the Boivin name. Belperron, surely disappointed she couldn't make her name with Boivin left the company in 1932. Gemstone and pearl dealer, Bernard Herz became the technical and artistic director of the Maison Bernard Herz, setting up a private salon at 59, rue de Châteaudun where she designed jeweler for an ever increasing circle of clients. These clients like her style and elegance and included some of the most influential women of the time. She used a wide variety of gemstones and employed specialist craftsmen such as the lapidary Adrien Louart to craft one of a kind pieces. The workshop at Groëné et Darde created each piece and she meticulously supervised them all. Her jewels began appearing in the top fashion magazines and were featured regularly in French, British and American Vogue magazine as well as Harpers Bazaar.
World War II changed everything for the Maison Bernard Herz. Belperron was arrested in her office by the Gestapo on November 2nd 1942 whilst Herz was simultaneously being arrested at his home. Belperron was released after questioning, however Herz, who was Jewish, was detained and deported to Germany where he never returned. The company was confiscated and liquidated by the Germans and Belperron registered it under her own name until the return to Paris in late 1946. Herz’s son, Jean arrived and they formed a new company together, Jean Herz-Suzanne Belperron. Belperron passed away in 1983 leaving behind her a detailed archive which is now used to authenticate the jewelry as many do not have signatures.
