Goossens is one of the most prestigious names in haute couture jewelry of the last half century. Robert Goossens worked with Coco Chanel in the 1950s, and went on to design jewelry for the world’s foremost fashion houses, pursuing notable collaborations with Balenciaga, Grès, and Yves Saint Laurent. As well as the emblematic rock crystal jewelry, baroque pearl brooches, and Byzantine cuffs famously associated with Chanel, Maison Goossens’ designs combine real and faux gemstones, making fashion jewelry both precious and bold at once. Robert’s son, Patrick, has reimagined many original Goossens styles, for Dior, Alexander McQueen and Louis Vuitton among others. Martine, his daughter, collaborates regularly with architect Peter Marino to decorate the interiors of the most famous couture houses in the world. Maison Goossens is now part of the stable of exceptional craft practitioners owned by Chanel’s Paraffection subsidiary.

Patrick Mauriès is a writer and publisher of many notable titles on fashion and design, including Jewelry by Chanel and Flora: The Art of Jewelry, both published by Thames & Hudson.