Editor’s Note
This article highlights the exclusive Cartier exhibition at London’s V&A Museum, a showcase of precious jewelry and watches that has become a must-see for enthusiasts. As tickets are in high demand, we share insights from our London correspondent to bring this dazzling event to our readers.
The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A), a temple of fashion in London, is currently hosting an exhibition by the coveted jeweler “Cartier”! London-based writer K reports on this hugely popular event, which brings together precious jewelry and watches in one place.
The most talked-about event at the V&A right now is the exhibition by the supreme, coveted jeweler Cartier. It opened on April 12, 2025, but bookings were fully booked from before the start until summer. I, writer K, a London resident who absolutely wanted to see it, renewed my expired membership!
Signing up for an annual membership allows the cardholder and one other person to enter without a reservation, just by presenting the card. The pricing is clever, as even the most affordable level pays for itself after just a few visits. Members can also use the members’ lounge and get a 10% discount on merchandise, which might be a hack for short-term travelers too… (though perceptions may vary!).
The exhibition begins with introductions to Louis Cartier, Pierre Cartier, and Jacques Cartier. The three brothers joined forces to grow the family business founded by their grandfather in 1847 into a global maison, with Cartier developing primarily around the world’s upper class.
The display rotates 360 degrees, catching the light to sparkle dazzlingly, and its delicate craftsmanship casts beautiful shadows in the exhibition space…!
1: Cartier’s Creativity
A section exploring the sources of inspiration, the establishment of the Cartier style, and how magnificent creations were born through strong relationships and collaborations with key clients.
Inspiration sources extended not only to Europe but also to Asia, reaching as far as Japan. Items on display include patterns, hand mirrors, lacquerware, inro, netsuke, a watch featuring a torii gate motif, and a brooch based on an illustration of a wisteria trellis.
2: Cartier’s Atelier
Cartier’s unique in-house atelier where artisans work according to the maison’s strict standards. In this section, you can immerse yourself in the coveted world of the Panthère, which many surely dream of owning one day as a lifetime piece of jewelry!
A video introduces how the Panthère, the most symbolic of the maison, is currently created using a wealth of jewelry techniques, and the delicate work is mesmerizing.
3: Cartier’s Marketing
The final section delves into how Cartier shaped the maison’s image on its way to becoming widely recognized around the world. At the 1925 Paris Exposition, it exhibited at the Pavilion of Elegance, showcasing its creations alongside pioneering couturiers as the sole jeweler. Furthermore, as time progressed, actors and music artists became the style icons of the era, replacing royalty and nobility.
From Elizabeth II to Rihanna. The dramatic and moving transition of style icons through this tiara is only possible because of Cartier’s historic legacy…
When you ascend from the dimly lit underground venue where the jewelry’s brilliance stands out to the ground floor, it feels like returning to reality from a dream world. In that dreamy state, you must not miss the shop selling related merchandise, a must-visit after viewing.
Many original items from this exhibition are available, making you stop in your tracks. When you think of the V&A, you think of stylish eco-bags. This time, two versions are available: one featuring a Garland-style brooch and one with the Panthère. They are limited to the exhibition period and have the rarity of being available only here in-store (also purchasable online), making them perfect for gifts or souvenirs♡
How was it? The Cartier exhibition is being held at the Victoria & Albert Museum until November 16, 2025. Anyone planning a trip to London during the summer holidays absolutely must not miss it!