Diamonds are Chengdu's best friend

Luxury jeweler opens redesigned triplex flagship in Taikoo Li, solidifying its high-end brand legacy, Wang Weihan reports.

Located in the heart of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, Taikoo Li is a commercial district that seamlessly blends modernity with tradition. Centered around the 1,700-year-old Daci Temple, Taikoo Li Chengdu has a network of intersecting alleys and expansive open squares, and is home to many international luxury brands, trendy fashion labels and Michelin-starred restaurants.

Its unique urban rhythm combines fast-paced and leisurely elements, and blends historical culture and modern commerce, attracting many tourists, shoppers and foodies.

Jewelry house Tiffany opened its Taikoo Li branch in 2015. A decade later, it has unveiled a newly redesigned boutique as its first triplex flagship in China.

Anthony Ledru, president and CEO of Tiffany, explored the area the morning before the opening ceremony on March 13.

"The location is spectacular," he says. "It has an amazing ability to expand. Also, Chengdu has the potential for high-end jewelry. It's a large, festive and vibrant city, which is very important for luxury brands."

He is confident of the renovation. "We had the good fortune of benefiting from an extraordinary location and expanding it."

He admits it's not their best business year in China, but the brand will continue investing for the next 10 years. "Long-term perspective is good. China has a big population that celebrates milestones, jewelry and long-lasting heritage," he says.

Since Tiffany opened its first store in the Beijing Peninsula Hotel in 2001, the luxury jeweler has opened 44 retail stores on the Chinese mainland. Its Beijing Sanlitun store will open in December.

Ledru says: "We're an international brand. Since the beginning, Tiffany has been curious and its founders explored the world. … Tiffany's core values fit naturally with China — craftsmanship, heritage, innovation and joy — and we celebrate love. We need to connect even further because these values resonate here. We must further accelerate our execution, stores and storytelling through editorials and exhibitions. We aim for higher success in China in the coming years."

Striking design

Ledru describes the store designed and decorated by a team of international and local artists as "contextual" and "grandiose".

"We hope to have one of the most beautiful jewelry stores, if not the most beautiful. You have intimacy when you want intimacy; you have openness when you want openness. I think there's a good mix," he explains.

Architect Hugh Dutton says two keywords describe the store's design — "geometry" and "infinity".

The store's striking facade combines craftsmanship with artistry to create a visual symphony as a nod to Tiffany diamonds' sparkling luminosity.

Dutton elaborates, "The facade is designed to be a living entity that interacts with the environment and people. It's about capturing the light, movements and energy of the city."

He guides guests into the store and says when they enter, they are greeted by light reflections as they look up.

"Aside from the facade, there is a sculpture and geometrical mirrors that transport you up. Standing in the store's center are spiral stairs. The mirrors catch the reflections to view the whole space."

Inside, guests are enveloped in a warm, luxurious environment punctuated by delicate Tiffany Blue touches. The first floor has hand-painted bespoke walls by artist Nancy Lorenz, inviting visitors to explore Tiffany's iconic collections, including Lock by Tiffany, Hard Wear by Tiffany, T by Tiffany and Knot by Tiffany.

Local elements

The store's interior design celebrates Tiffany's legacy while paying homage to Chengdu's surroundings with several culturally inspired elements.

A chandelier by artist Andreea Braescu, inspired by the magnolia flower, illuminates the space. A constellation ceiling echoing New York City's Grand Central Station is reinterpreted with local motifs, bridging Tiffany's birthplace with its new home in Chengdu.

In a first-floor corner, Mike Hodson, manager of High Jewelry Servicing, who has worked with Tiffany for 14 years, demonstrates a 58-carat amethyst which will be set later in New York to complete the Bird on a Rock. He says this Bird on a Rock is completely handcrafted and takes about three months to complete from the procurement of the main stone to the final stage.

The "All About Love" section on the second floor features an exceptional diamond vitrine design embodying Tiffany's modern and refined aesthetic, including the piece Color & Light, 2024 by Italian artist Michelangelo Pistoletto. The "High Jewelry" salon showcases unique creations in frosted glass pyramid vitrines, inspired by a 1950s Jean Schlumberger design. This floor also houses China's only Tiffany watch salon, highlighting the brand's rich horological legacy.

The journey continues on the third floor, where home, leather accessories and baby items offer an intimate shopping experience. A private lounge and dining room provide clients with a sophisticated reprieve. The lounge features Tiffany Cute, 2024, a masterpiece by Damien Hirst, while the dining room boasts bespoke wallpaper depicting Chengdu Renmin Park, celebrating the local scenery. Sculptures by artist Arik Levy evoke a Chinese bamboo garden and panda chairs by the Campana Brothers add a playful touch to the baby room.

To celebrate the grand opening, the store presents several exceptional window displays including an artistic interpretation of Chengdu Renmin Park, showcasing a glimpse into a lush bamboo forest and revealing Schlumberger's iconic Bird on a Rock motif soaring through layers of verdant foliage. A winding stairway weaves through the trees, leading to a tranquil pond where Schlumberger's celebrated design rests in quiet reflection.

From Monday to May 25, Tiffany will present 38 pieces from the house's archives at the store, including some from the 19th century. Wonders from the Tiffany Archives is a curated selection of archival pieces that share the journey of its nearly 200-year history across three themes — origins, diamonds and Jean Schlumberger. The new Bird on a Pearl collection also debuts.

Chen Jie contributed to this story.