In the 1970s, French artist César, known for his large-form hydraulically compacted sculptures that used automobile parts, scrap metal, and other discarded items, began a series of small totemic compressés made from family heirlooms and friends’ jewelry. Now, more than two decades after César’s death, Hedi Slimane, the artistic, creative, and image director of Celine, collaborated with the artist’s foundation to revisit those works by creating limited-edition replicas in crushed vermeil and silver. The necklaces—worn on the Celine FW20 runway in Paris in February—come with both a chain and leather strand for added versatility in a simple wooden box (just as César had presented his). The limited run of necklaces is available online and in select stores starting June 29. Being under pressure has never looked so alluring.
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