Rene Boivin
Boivin was founded in 1890 by Monsieur Jules René Boivin (1864-1917), however the name is so well known today largely because of a team of women headed by Rene's wife Jeanne Boivin. René was born in Paris in 1864 and joined his older brother Victor’s business as a goldsmith apprentice. He learned by making small boxes and producing inlaid metal work. In 1890, René decided to branch out on his own and over the course of the next three years he bought up several workshops beginning with Grifeuille which cost him 5,000 francs (he borrowed this money from his family). He registered his makers mark and by 1893 he had acquired all the machinery and labor he needed and he moved his assembled team into 38 rue de Turbigo. He met and married Jeanne Poiret (Boivin), (1871-1959) sister to the famed couturier Paul Poiret. Together they had three children Pierre, Suzanne and Germaine. In the beginning the majority of his work was produced for prominent jewelers such as Mellerio and Boucheron essentially starting as a manufacturer. He also began to develop private clients and created jewelry inspired by the natural world such as flowers and animals. Then in 1900 he moved to a new premises at 27 rue des Pyramides which had meeting rooms alongside the workshop. In 1917 Rene passed away and swiftly followed by that of his only son Pierre. His wife Jeanne, over the following decades, took her husbands legacy and turned it into the famous name it became.
Madame René Boivin (as she preferred to be known) began by completing orders and perpetuating the style of jewelry created by her late husband with whom she had worked so closely for over 25 years. Unconcerned with the prevailing fashions of the period, she preferred bold pieces set with large colored gems and hardstone. In 1921 she employed a saleswoman Suzanne Vuillerme (later Belperron) who would be the first of three women to contribute significantly to the design ethos of the firm. Suzanne’s rendering skills were excellent and by 1925 she was helping Madame Boivin translate her ideas onto paper as well as contributing thoughts and suggestions of her own. In 1932, after differences Suzanne Belperron left and was replaced by Juliette Moutard. The firm moved to new premises in 1931 on the Avenue de l’Opéra but remained as a private salon only by referral. Their success continued to grow and they attracted an increasingly large circle of wealthy and distinguished clients. Juliette worked closely with both Madame Boivin as well as her daughter Germaine a talented designer who, after a career designing for her uncle Paul Poiret, formerly joined the family business til 1938. Juliette and Germaine used their imagination to design the jewelry and Madame Boivin oversaw the production of the pieces. Madame Boivin retired in 1954 and died a few years later in 1959 leaving the company in the capable hands of Germaine who continued to run it along her mother’s principles until 1976. Juliette Moutard had retired a few years earlier in 1970. Jacques Bernard was a talented jeweler and purchased the firm. The company was sold to the Asprey Group in 1991 and business ceased.
Madame René Boivin (as she preferred to be known) began by completing orders and perpetuating the style of jewelry created by her late husband with whom she had worked so closely for over 25 years. Unconcerned with the prevailing fashions of the period, she preferred bold pieces set with large colored gems and hardstone. In 1921 she employed a saleswoman Suzanne Vuillerme (later Belperron) who would be the first of three women to contribute significantly to the design ethos of the firm. Suzanne’s rendering skills were excellent and by 1925 she was helping Madame Boivin translate her ideas onto paper as well as contributing thoughts and suggestions of her own. In 1932, after differences Suzanne Belperron left and was replaced by Juliette Moutard. The firm moved to new premises in 1931 on the Avenue de l’Opéra but remained as a private salon only by referral. Their success continued to grow and they attracted an increasingly large circle of wealthy and distinguished clients. Juliette worked closely with both Madame Boivin as well as her daughter Germaine a talented designer who, after a career designing for her uncle Paul Poiret, formerly joined the family business til 1938. Juliette and Germaine used their imagination to design the jewelry and Madame Boivin oversaw the production of the pieces. Madame Boivin retired in 1954 and died a few years later in 1959 leaving the company in the capable hands of Germaine who continued to run it along her mother’s principles until 1976. Juliette Moutard had retired a few years earlier in 1970. Jacques Bernard was a talented jeweler and purchased the firm. The company was sold to the Asprey Group in 1991 and business ceased.
