Elsa Peretti Scorpion Pendant

Carine Roitfeld is renowned for her style, classic with a twist, and her beloved Elsa Peretti scorpion necklace suits her aesthetic perfectly. The elegant metallic scorpion collar pendant is crafted of articulated segments with the menacing claws encircling the neck and the tail poised on the chest in a dangerous flick, so Carine… Designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. in 1979, the curious necklace resulted from her obsession with the scorpions living near her home in Catalonia. The artist shares her inspiration: "While working in Sant Martí Vell, I came across a lot of scorpions. The animals are incredibly attractive, with fascinating mechanics. Strangely they are never around when I need to review something in my design. I have to confess that I had to sacrifice a few. I feel sorry."

Carine acquired this treasured piece years ago and stored it in her bank vault for safekeeping until recently when she retrieved it so she could wear it again. One reason she loves the scorpion is because it reminds her of her partner, Christian Restoin, as Scorpio is his astrological sign; I adore her sweet sentimentality. Carine refers to herself as a collector of the designer's work and also among the treasures in her jewelry box is the Elsa Peretti bottle pendant.

Carine met Elsa Peretti once and remembers her as an amazing woman with an amazing (albeit masculine) voice, she considers the jewelry designer a big talent and one of her big icons. Carine also thinks of Peretti as a muse for the first issue of CR Fashion Book, she styled the editorial "Elsa" in her likeness, casting Catherine McNeil as Peretti as shot by Kacper Kasprzyk in a New York apartment that formerly belonged to Halston. I wonder if McNeil is wearing Carine's own Elsa Peretti scorpion pendant for the editorial… Tiffany & Co. continues to produce the scorpion necklace but in a slightly different variation, it now hangs on a 15.5" inch chain and is cast in either gold or sterling silver. Be sure to view "Scorpion Queen" on CR Fashion Book in which Carine Roitfeld discusses Elsa Peretti and her scorpion pendant.

Elsa Peretti scorpion collar pendant photo courtesy of Tiffany & Co. Carine Roitfeld photos courtesy of Fashion Spot. "Elsa" editorial image by Kacper Kasprzyk for CR Fashion Book.

Comments

[Mike]

That necklace reminds me of you, Kellina - beautiful and a bit dangerous!

[kellina]

Yes, Michael, be careful of the sting...

;-)

Thanks for your sweet words.

[bernie]

I love Elsa Perreti. A living legend

[anne]

hey there, great blog- could you please tell us why Carine does not wear a lot of jewellery ? apart from the ceasar , the elsa peretti and usually her gold medal, she stayed away from big brand- for instance am surprise (and not) that she was never a van cleef fan (alhambra sautoir etc..)? can you post more pictures of a treasure box as i am sure she must have some gorgeous cartier panthere rings, big cuffs etc...

thank u x

[cofajolener]

I love this necklace! It's one of a kind. I love how Tiffanys are bringing back the zodiac sings in their jewellery, I've been saying it for a while now no one is doing it
If I was rich I would buy this 100 for a freind who's a scorpio it would be the best gift.
Im forever poor though ill probs just get a tacky scorpion tattoo 4her