Sea nymphs and blackberry sheep

LUXURY COSTUME jewellery brand Les Nereides is the latest addition to The Groove at CentralWorld and customers are eager to examine the range of fine handcrafted jewellery that is undeniably French.

Established in 1980 by Enzo and Pascale Amaddeo, Les Nereides opened its first boutique in Nice and followed up five years later with a shop in the heart of Paris in 1985. Today, it has more than 40 exclusive distributors in Europe, America, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Japan and South Korea.

The Bangkok outlet combines Les Nereides and its sister brand N2 under one roof. Operated by CL Luxe, it boasts a stunning window display that cannot help but draw in customers. 

“It was love at first sight when I saw Les Nereides in the UK. The jewellery looked feminine and elegant and I immediately thought it would sell well in Thailand,” says managing director Ornnicha Charoenloet. 

“When I returned home in 2007, I took a job with L’Oreal to broaden my experience in marketing. I worked for a full year on my proposal to become the sole distributor both Les Nereides and sister brand N2. Usually, the brand only gives a one license for one of the brands per country,” 

Inspiration for the pieces comes from such diverse sources as Indian markets and garage sales in New York to stalls at Waterloo, Clignancourt, Vanves and Thailand, from where the founders have over the years collected an impressive selection of old dolls, lanterns, statues, paintings and bric-a-brac.

Hand-enamelled and hand-painted, the jewellery is made of top-quality brass and coated with 14 and 18 karat gold.

French refinement can be seen in every detail of the colourful necklaces, 

 bracelets, bangles, rings, earrings and charms. 

Among the highlights is the Sou Bois collection based on a garden in paradise that’s home to lovely creatures, flowers and plants. The Rosiers Sauvages theme draws on treasure in an ancient castle protected by a dragon, while the Paris Mon Amour line shows several romantic scenes including lovers at the Eiffel Tower and other Parisian landmarks.

Founded in 2004, N2’s jewellery is more playful and colourful, making it ideal for the younger set.

Designed in collaboration with such funky fashion brands like Paul & Joe, Princess Tam Tam Paris, Andrea Crews, Manoush and Smiley World, the resin-made pieces are inspired by such fantastical tales as Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel.

There’s a necklace that looks like white teacups adorned with an Alice pendant and earrings sporting a girl in a red costume. The Bio Food collection is even more fantastical with blackberry sheep, watermelon frogs and corn puppy dogs.

 

 

FANTASTICAL FRENCH

>>Les Nereides Paris Boutique is located on the ground floor of The Groove, CentralWorld. It’s open daily from 10 to 10. Find out more at www.LesNeReides.com and “LesNereidesThailand” page on Facebook.