Bijules Challenges You To a Duel of Jewels

PARIS–Sixteenth century alchemist Tycho Brahe had street cred before anyone: After losing his nose in a bloody duel, he made himself one out of pure gold.

“This is a way of enhancing something you don’t have,” says Jules Kim, designer of Bijules, whose latest collection draws inspiration from Brahe’s gothic, fearless universe; in a deeply theatrical manner, she suggests an alternative choice of body parts to ornate.

At her presentation last Friday in Paris’ Palais Royal, she screened a film inspired by surrealism and film noir, in which she starred and demonstrated the uses of her pieces in a parallel, chic universe. The snippet drew admirative yelps from the likes of Diane Pernet.

Mixing tongue-in-cheek references to rapper’s gold teeth and to Brahe’s surrogate nose, she revealed gold contact lenses and studded nipple pasties (in that case, to enhance something you do have…hopefully).

Other examples include a ring that coats the entire finger, and a bejeweled chess set, on which she accessorized each pawn.

The universe of duels is oft referred to throughout the collection–for example, in Kim’s special gloves. These are not to be classically worn– as they are filled with small gold beads–but rather sat on the shoulder. This is a direct reference to duels, where a glove thrown at one’s feet would signify a call for a battle, she explained.

Rihanna is a fan, and so are Beyoncé and Fergie. And lots of Parisian females will soon be too, judging from the looks of shock and awe from the various fashion editors that attended the presentation.

Weapon of choice? Gold.