Heritage
 | 
David Gusky

LA MAISON:
HERITAGE

Contemporary Luxury with jewelry expertise

DAVIDOR is not only the name of France’s newest jewelry maison; it is the sobriquet of the brand’s founder, 34 year old David Gusky. A French brand that combines both tradition and innovation, DAVIDOR balances contemporary luxury with jewelry expertise, an expertise that was undoubtedly inherited from Gusky’s parents who were formerly the largest American suppliers of fine gold jewelry. After attending the prestigious business school, Babson College, in Boston, DAVIDOR

attended the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in New York and traveled extensively around the world to map out the ultimate architectural inspiration for his brand identity: the Arch. From the jewelers’ benches in Valenza, Italy to the golden hands of France’s finest workshops, DAVIDOR’s craftsmanship and values are delicately ingrained in every stunning piece of jewelry that the brand has to offer.

DAVIDOR is not only the name of France’s newest jewelry maison; it is the sobriquet of the brand’s founder, 34 year old David Gusky. A French brand that combines both tradition and innovation, DAVIDOR balances contemporary luxury with jewelry expertise, an expertise that was undoubtedly inherited from Gusky’s parents who were formerly the largest American suppliers of fine gold jewelry. After attending the prestigious business school, Babson College, in Boston, DAVIDOR attended the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in New York and traveled extensively around the world to map out the ultimate architectural inspiration for his brand identity: the Arch. From the jewelers’ benches in Valenza, Italy to the golden hands of France’s finest workshops, DAVIDOR’s craftsmanship and values are delicately ingrained in every stunning piece of jewelry that the brand has to offer.

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 for the quality I wanted to achieve for DAVIDOR, I needed to be in that city. In Paris, jewelry is still an art and the craftsmen are respected like artists. That, in itself, was really important to me.

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.

What is it about the Arch that you fell in love 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 they play 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.  Throughout my travels, specifically those in Europe, I continued to see the arch and my connection 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.