La Maison
La Maison
The soul of every arch that DAVIDOR designs is characterized by the unique color story assigned to it. With sixteen exclusive colors completing the palette, DAVIDOR’s lacquered pieces combine the ancient savoir-faire of France’s golden hands with the advanced technology of ceramic material development, ultimately resulting in a vibrant collection that pays homage to the colorful musings of the DAVIDOR experience.
Meet: Davidor Gusky
Not only the name of France’s
freshest jewelry maison, DAVIDOR is also the sobriquet of the brand’s founder, David Gusky. After graduating from Babson College in Boston and earning his certification from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in New York, Gusky discovered a balance between his taste for refined luxury and his expertise in jewelry—a balance that was most certainly learned from his parents, formerly America’s largest suppliers of fine gold jewelry.
Interview: Davidor Gusky, Creative Director & CEO
Why did you choose the name DAVIDOR for your brand?
I chose to name my fine and high jewelry brand, DAVIDOR, as it was the nickname my family gave me when I was a child. Davidor is the designer, the imaginative and creative version of myself. It is also the name that always made me dream, to look through the Arch, and to eventually develop a luxury brand in Paris.
Why did you choose Paris for DAVIDOR?
Since I was a child traveling with my family to Paris, I always loved the city. I loved the incredibly grand architecture, the ancient statues, and the opulence. Being in Paris always made me dream. Because Paris is home to the great high jewelry maisons, I knew that I needed to be there in order to achieve the quality that I was seeking. In Paris, jewelry is still an art and the craftsmen
are respected like artists. That, in itself, was really important to me.
What is it about the Arch that you fell inlove with?
The arch is a shape that everyone can recognize. It is seen around the world and has been used since the beginning of time. I fell in love with Andrea Palladio's renowned arch that he used in his 16th century Villas of Veneto, and specifically, those seen in Vicenza, Italy. From a young age, frequently visiting Vicenza, I fell in love with the beauty of the shape of the pure arch, the support it provided to these great villas and the incredible role that it plays in the passing of time. As I would look through the arch, I would see the beautiful rolling hills and gardens of the region. I dreamt of the literal and imaginary world. Through out my travels, specifically those in Europe, I continued to see the arch and my connection to it continued to grow. Each arch tells its own story. The arches of Place Vendôme, the arches of the arcades of Rue Rivoli, the arches of villas in Portofino and Capri...each has its own soul.
Why did you think the Arch would be the right iconic image for DAVIDOR?
I knew the arch was the right iconic image for DAVIDOR as it was something that everyone is used to seeing; it is recognizable and relatable. It is literal and abstract, concrete and imaginative. It provides both support and a soul to the structure.
How did you decide to work with lacquer?
I was raised in Miami, a vibrant and colorful city with constant sunshine and tropical landscapes. For me, color is one of the most expressive ways to tell a story. When I look through the arch, I see many stories, a colorful world inspired by flora and fauna. Lacquer is an ancient French "savoir-faire" that I fell in love with. It's a medium that allows me to express my vision and to bring life to the precious metals. The art of lacquer is very special; it's meticulously done by hand by passionate artists. While creating the 16 unique lacquer colors of DAVIDOR's palette, I felt we were enhancing the soul of each piece of jewelry.
The Muse: Paris
With effortless style, splendor, and sophistication, Paris is the muse that inspired the French chapter of DAVIDOR’s origin story—a narrative that continues to stroll through the elegant arches that dance across the brand’s fine and high-jewelry collections. These collections celebrate the balance of historical grandeur and contemporary opulence that Paris has preserved so well.
Paris has imprinted a particularly special appreciation for French craftsmanship and savoir-faire on to the brand, which made it critical for DAVIDOR to establish its maison within in reach of the city's monumental architecture, regal statues, and lush gardens. Much like Paris, DAVIDOR invites every passerby to gaze through the iconic arch and marvel at the wonders that exist on the other side.
Iconic Arch: L'Arc
Over time, the DAVIDOR brand began
to blossom with its roots tightly tangled around the strong but subtle symbol of the arch. For DAVIDOR, the arch is more than an architectural icon; it is the distinctive symbol around which the brand’s DNA is structured. The DAVIDOR arch presents itself in the form of delicate but deliberate designs that have grown out of decadent dreamscapes and lush landscapes.
Uniquely DAVIDOR: Les Lacques
The soul of every arch that DAVIDOR designs is characterized by the unique color story assigned to it. With sixteen exclusive colors completing the palette, DAVIDOR’s lacquered pieces combine the ancient savoir-faire of France’s golden hands with the advanced technology of ceramic material development, ultimately resulting in a vibrant collection that pays homage to the colorful musings of the DAVIDOR experience.
