A stunning showcase celebrating the intricate craftsmanship behind the creation of luxury pieces

Fashion exhibition designer and curator Judith Clark illuminates the human craftsmanship skills and traditions behind precious objects created by 15 world renowned luxury maisons

• Showcasing the fine craftsmanship of 15 luxury maisons making fine watches and jewellery, bags, haute couture, kimonos, perfumes and more

• Custom-made studio spaces – inspired by the painting of Saint Jerome in his Study by Antonello da Messina – in which visitors can observe the master artisans as they craft magnificent objects

• Exquisite examples of luxury products interconnected via a subtle, evocative thread which also explores Japan’s influence on European craftsmanship

Witness the transformative power of craftsmanship in Details: Genealogies of Ornament, a multi-layered exhibition curated by Judith Clark and designed by Clark with Sam Collins, which showcases 15 luxury maisons dedicated to making the finest watches, tailoring, kimonos, jewellery, and much more. Visitors can observe master artisans at work in studio spaces inspired by Antonello da Messina’s painting of Saint Jerome in his Study, currently displayed at London’s National Gallery. An enameller from Vacheron Constantin, a kimono maker from Chiso, among many other artisans, reveal the secret steps necessary to create unique pieces. Beautifully crafted wall panels and specially made floor tiles reflect the heritage of each craft and its tools, while a selection of iconic objects reveals the origins of each maison’s decorative style, or Japan’s influence on European artisans.

Located in the long building of the until recently abandoned Nautical School, the exhibition presents precious objects clustered around a demarcated route, rather than conforming to a single or progressive visual narrative, which act as mini “constellations” that change their pattern depending on where the visitor is standing. Along the route artisans sit “finishing” the objects on display, both true (they are the master craftsmen and women from the 15 participating maisons) and performative. The conceit of their position means that they are participating in a collaborative act as well as absorbed in their precise work. 

In exploring Details: Genealogies of Ornament, visitors will witness the sheer diversity of craftsmanship and gain an understanding of the lineage – or geneology – of each craft: specific traditions handed down from generation to generation and often related to a particular material. However the exhibition also asks what the 15 maisons have in common. Fashion, tastes and trends may influence these genealogies, as do creative and cultural exchanges between, for example, Europe and Japan.

Thus, while the exhibition presents 15 maisons that not only make very different products but bring diverse traditions to the conversation, the power of Homo Faber Event, Clark believes, is to explore what those in fine craftsmanship may share.

 “Homo Faber always looks at the person in the process. It looks at the skill, the very human skill that goes into producing these wonderful objects.” – Judith Clark

Maisons in the exhibition

1. Alaïa, Couture Sculpture

2. A. Lange & Söhne, engraving

3. Aquaflor, perfumery

4. Buccellati, fine silversmithing

5. Cartier, glyptics

6. Chiso, yuzen kimono

7. Dolce&Gabbana, Alta Sartoria – Men’s tailoring

8. Hermès, the “velours au sabre” technique (velvet cut)

9. Jaeger-LeCoultre, watchmaking

10. Maison Lemarié, feathers, flowers, couture sewing and pleating

11. Piaget, gold crafting

12. Serapian, Mosaico leathergoods

13. Vacheron Constantin in partnership with The Musée du Louvre, watchmaking, gem-setting, enamelling and engraving

14. Van Cleef & Arpels, jewellery

15. YOOX NET-A-PORTER Group and The Prince's Foundation, responsible luxury garment making

Details: Genealogies of Ornament is set in the Nautical School exhibition area at Fondazione Giorgio Cini. It is one of 15 exhibitions that comprise Homo Faber Event 2022, organised by the Michelangelo Foundation.