Another charitable effort from Lalique

The latest creation in the Elton John Music is Love For Lalique collection was auctioned off in Los Angeles to raise funds for the fight against AIDS.

We’ve shared news here before about Lalique, the legacy brand best known for its heirloom-quality crystal, and its collaboration with the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF).

The partnership yielded a new work in the Elton John Music is Love For Lalique collection, the Purple Heart Cire Perdue.

The one-of-a-kind crystal Music is Love sculpture was auctioned off at the EJAF annual Academy Awards Viewing Party, held March 4 in Los Angeles. Leading the proceedings was Paddle8 co-founder Alexander Gilkes who led the auction that secured $80,000 for the piece with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the EJAF and its lifesaving work.

In press materials released by Lalique after the event, John commented, “The Elton John AIDS Foundation and Lalique have joined forces once again for a spectacular project to help raise funds to get us closer to our vision of a world without AIDS. I was pleased to work with Marc Larminaux, creative director at Lalique, in designing this exquisite piece. I am so proud of this wonderful project, incredibly thankful to Lalique, and profoundly grateful to all of our generous friends who bid on these beautiful pieces tonight!”

Pieces from the Music is Love collection – including the crystal angel ($1,800 and limited to 999 worldwide); the red crystal heart ($1,800 and limited to 499 worldwide); and the clear crystal heart ($1,200 and limited to 999 worldwide) – are available for purchase at Lalique boutiques nationwide and select retailers with 10 percent of the proceeds benefitting the EJAF.

• In other news from Lalique, the company shared that:

“After 13 years serving as president and CEO of Lalique North America, Maz Zouhairi announced his decision to step aside of the venerable French luxury lifestyle brand.

“Zouhairi is credited with helping transform Lalique into a global luxury lifestyle brand that, in addition to crystal decorative objects, now encompasses jewelry, fragrance, interior design, art and the newest pillar, hospitality. He has helped orchestrate collaborations for the brand with Tom Ford, Elton John, Paris Opera Ballet, Pierre-Yves Rochon, Patron and Damien Hirst, among others. Under his leadership, the prestigious crystal maker’s business significantly expanded its distribution network by opening numerous new points of sales and flagship boutiques. Zouhairi has strengthened relationships with key retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and many independent shops throughout the U.S. He also launched the Lalique Special Markets division that has expanded the business, specifically the interior design division, into non-traditional venues in hospitality, cruise ships, commercial real estate and global luxury residential developments.

“At the invitation of Silvio Denz, Chairman & CEO of the Lalique Group, Zouhairi will remain engaged in an advisory capacity, serving as a consultant to Denz and his executive team.

“Denz said, ‘Maz has shown great passion and respect for the Lalique brand, and has made a significant contribution to the development of our US business. We thank him for his many years of service and commitment.’

“‘The Lalique brand, and the company’s success, will always be a very important part of my life, and this continuing connection to its strategic direction and planning will enable me to stay closely involved. I am deeply grateful to Silvio, whose inspiring vision has guided the group and energized the brand. I thank him for trusting me and my colleagues to bring his vision to life,’ said Zouhairi.”

WAG had the pleasure of interviewing Zouhairi several times over the past few years, with him proving not only unfailingly warm and personable but also an astute observer of the international luxury market. We wish him well.

For more, visit lalique.com.

– Mary Shustack

Written By
More from Staff
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Botanical celebrates Monet’s floral works By Georgette Gouveia He was, of course,...
Read More
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *