TTF Haute Joaillerie Competition: the Best Horse Designs are Selected out of a Proposed Thousand

September 21, 2014

By Katerina Perez

5 min read

Liang Ruixin’s Le Cheval de la Fortune (Horse of Luck)

Jouet d

Jouet d

Jouet d’Enfant (Child’s Toy) Cuff bracelet by ZHANG Ying

2014, the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese calendar, happens to be the fiftieth anniversary of Franco-Chinese diplomatic relations. In honour of this momentous occasion, the Chinese jewellery company TTF Haute Joaillerie (Today, Tomorrow, Forever) has held an international competition for designing talent which I’d like to tell you a bit about. The participants were offered the chance to develop their own version of a piece of jewellery whose essential element had to be a horse.

To start with, I’d like to point out that TTF Haute Joaillerie is one of the few Chinese jewellery brands that appear on the international scene. The brand was founded in 2002 in Shenzhen where its head office and workshop are.

Last year the General Director of TTF Haute Joaillerie Franck Wu wanted to show the world that the stamp of “Made in China” doesn’t mean poor quality and so opened an office in the very heart of Paris’ jewellery environs on 12 Rue de la Paix. To increase the chances of an international success, Wu appointed the former head of the Van Cleef & Arpels workshops, the talented Frenchman Jean Boggio, to be Creative Director. Of the 13 years he has worked in the jewellery industry, Boggio has spent 7 years in China, something which has allowed him to look at things with a truly global eye.

HU-Juanjuan

HU-Juanjuan

HU Juanjuan

Jean Boggio, TTF creative director, and his creation - Les 10000 Cheveaux Courant (10000 running horses)

Jean Boggio, TTF creative director, and his creation - Les 10000 Cheveaux Courant (10000 running horses)

Jean Boggio, TTF creative director, and his creation – Les 10000 Cheveaux Courant (10000 running horses)

Cécile CHALVET Les Cheveaux de Paradis (Horses of Heaven) earrings

Cécile CHALVET Les Cheveaux de Paradis (Horses of Heaven) earrings

Cécile CHALVET Les Cheveaux de Paradis (Horses of Heaven) earrings

At the competition, each designer was faced with the task of conveying through the language of high jewellery the strength and tireless energy of horses, animals which are equally loved in the West and in the East. Roughly 1,000 people from different countries set to work on the challenge, each in the hope that their design would be among the chosen winners. The prize that awaited the winners: the creation of their designs in the very best workshops of Place Vendôme and the atelier of TTF Haute Joaillerie itself.

“The European panel was made up of 8 people, 6 Europeans and 2 Chinese journalists,” says Jean Boggio. “On 25th November 2013 we worked from 8am until 10pm to choose the best 100 designs out of the 1,000 applicants. A week later I went to Beijing where I was the only European on the panel of Chinese judges headed by the director of the Chinese Harper’s Bazaar. They chose almost exactly the same designs as the Europeans and we settled on the best 10”.

The judges chose works not only for their original designs but also considered the subtext of each submission. Su Mang (see below), for example, chose to focus on the subject of decor in the form of two golden tree branches. When looked at separately they don’t look like anything special but when you place them together the clear outline of a horse’s head can be seen. The two elements in Mang’s work symbolise France and China and the fact that they create the finished composition together reflects the strong links between the two countries.

After making the winners’ pieces, a series of exhibitions was held. Jean Boggio’s idea was that the horses had to go on a round the world journey that started in France. At the beginning of this year, the Ministry of International Cultural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, together with the culture attaché of the Chinese Embassy in France, held the event in Paris. Guests at the evening party admired the works designed by the winners of the competition as well as the horses offered by famous designers such as Piaget, Poiray, Lydia Courteille and Marchak. These brands were invited separately to take part. KP

Su Mang

Su Mang

Su Mang’s Tress and Horse Art Object

The “Traditional Chinese Spring Festival of Happiness: An Exhibition of Jewellery Designs Dedicated to the Year of the Horse 2014” was open from 19th February until 3rd March 2014 after which the exhibits were sent to TTF’s home town Shenzhen. The next venue for the exhibition is not yet known.

1. HU Zhensheng Le Bond necklace 2. LOU Xiaomeng The Horse Whisperer necklace 3. WU Yaoxing Le Cheval de Vastes Plaines cuff bracelet

1. HU Zhensheng Le Bond necklace 2. LOU Xiaomeng The Horse Whisperer necklace 3. WU Yaoxing Le Cheval de Vastes Plaines cuff bracelet

1. HU Zhensheng Le Bond necklace 2. LOU Xiaomeng The Horse Whisperer necklace 3. WU Yaoxing Le Cheval de Vastes Plaines cuff bracelet

Katerina-Perez-at-J&W

Katerina-Perez-at-J&W

P.S. The full article by Katerina Perez about TTF and the Year of the Horse was published in the Autumn issue of J&W Russia magazine. On the left hand side you see a drawing of a necklace by Frederic Mane and on the right is a pair of earrings by Ornella Iannuzzi

Morphée Joaillerie presents new jewellery at Paris Fashion week:

continue reading

Birthday Wishes: Embracing the Power of Being Different 

Today, I want to share my thoughts on embracing your inner self and channelling all that power into your biggest passions…

by Katerina Perez

Flip the Script: Meet the Jewellers Creating Luxury Customised Watches

Jewellery designers are increasingly turning their artistic talents to the world of horology, customising luxury watches with unique embellishments that carry their personal style signatures. From reimagined Rolexes to gemstone-studded bezels, discover how jewellers are making their mark on the world of timepieces

by Rachael Taylor

Iconic Revival: Boucheron Reinvents the Serpent Bohème Jewellery

That nostalgic feeling of seeing past creations—sometimes forgotten, sometimes iconic—sparking a rush of inspiration to reimagine and breathe new life into what once was. That's exactly what Boucheron has achieved with its latest revival: the Serpent Bohème Vintage collection

by Hirshi Sujanti

Art Deco Innovation: Exploring the Iconic Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery Setting

The Mystery Setting by Van Cleef & Arpels stands out as a masterpiece of Art Deco ingenuity. As the world celebrates the centenary of Art Deco in 2025, we are taking the opportunity to spotlight one of the most technically ambitious innovations to emerge from this golden era of jewellery design

by Claire Roberts

Emerald Odyssey: Chopard Unveils its Insofu High Jewellery Collection

There's nothing quite like the thrill of a new collection unveiling. But what truly excites me isn't just the sparkle and glamour – it's when a brand takes a bold and unexpected approach. This is exactly what Chopard has done with its latest Insofu High Jewellery collection, which all started with the extraordinary 6,225-carat 'Insofu' rough emerald. Let's take a closer look at the creations that have emerged from this incredible mineral specimen

by Hirshi Sujanti

Watches and Wonders 2025: The Best Jewellery Watches 

From diamond-drenched serpents to enamelled blooms and secret talismans, these new jewellery watches unveiled in Geneva embody the artistry, emotion and extravagance of high jewellery watchmaking for women

by Rachael Taylor

Refined Character: The Ancient-Meets-Modern Allure of Dionysios Fine Jewels

The Dionysios signature is all about warm, soulful jewellery that’s characterful without being overtly historical or too starkly modern. Let’s take a closer look at some of the brand’s highlights…

by Katerina Perez

Blinded by the Light: The April Birthstone Through the Lens of Diamond Pavé

Let's consider pieces that showcase this method of craftsmanship in all its sparkling glory…

by Katerina Perez

Love Language: Introducing the Expressive Creations of Zome Jewellery

For designers like Meghna Biswas, the woman behind Zome Jewellery in the United Arab Emirates, the process of transforming coloured gemstones and precious metals into beautiful creations is an ever-evolving love language

by Katerina Perez

Diamond Garden: Creating Digital Delights with AI Artist Anastasia Rogozhina

Take a look and consider the incredible feats that artificial intelligence can achieve in empowering creativity and broadening our minds

by Katerina Perez

100 Years of Art Deco: Top 10 Pieces of Art Deco Jewellery Sold at Auction

From the legendary Van Cleef & Arpels Jarretière bracelet worn by Marlene Dietrich to a striking aigrette that was once part of the Al Thani collection, all the pieces below are infused with the fearless originality of the Jazz Age

by Claire Roberts

Spirited Jewels: The Expressive Creativity of Elena Semy Jewellery 

Today, I'd like to introduce you to the creative designs of Elena Semy Jewellery and Elena, the artist behind them

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Century of Splendour:Louis Vuitton Awakened Hands, Awakened Minds Chapter II

Creative Director Francesca Amfitheatrof offers her unique interpretation of a pivotal period in France’s history, marked by the French Revolution, the Napoleonic era, and the rise of industrialism

by Sarah Jordan

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book

Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.