Amazingly, it’s been 30 years since Montblanc first introduced the limited edition Patron of Art collection paying homage each year to significant historical art patrons. Patronage has played an important role in painting, architecture, sculpture, and even music throughout history, with the affluent and other influencers serving as sponsors in the production or commission of works.
Lorenzo de Medici – one of the most enthusiastic proponents of Renaissance culture in Italy – was Montblanc’s honoree that first year, 1992, and the octagonal sterling silver Lorenzo de Medici fountain pen remains one of my all-time favorites.
Like its forebears, this year’s Patron of Art Homage to Victoria & Albert is another fine example of Montblanc’s artistry in pen making. It is also the last Patron of Art collection the company intends to produce, so its elaborateness is as much a nod to this (sad) fact as it is to Montblanc’s increasingly proficient pen-making playbook.
The six writing instruments spin an interesting yarn about the British royal couple as passionate partners and art patrons, and their story is told via a variety of in-house decorative techniques that seem to get more intricate by the year.
A lot has happened to facilitate this evolution, including an increased focus on research and development. And Montblanc’s decision several years ago to make multiple editions of each of its Patron of Art pens is a huge opportunity to show off its métiers d’art, which includes engraving, stone setting, lacquering, pearl work, and more. It also allows for a variety of price points, in this case reaching to $162,500 for the diamond-studded Victoria and Albert LE8, the most limited of the four editions.
..........Read full articleMontblanc’s earliest history is in pen making, and each of the lifestyle products that followed – watches, jewelry, leather, fragrance, and more – in some way acknowledges the foundational writing instrument. The new Meisterstück leather collection is no exception, paying very evident respect to the pen whose name it shares.
“The aim was to bring the design of the [leather] collection even closer to Montblanc’s iconic symbol of timeless luxury, the Meisterstück writing instrument,” said Marco Tomasetta, Montblanc’s new artistic director. “By mirroring some of its distinguishing features like the nib itself, as well as the color and shine of the pen’s precious resin with its smooth sensual touch, we have created pieces that truly stand out.”
..........Read full articleLuxury accessories company Montblanc’s artistic director, Marco Tomasetta, joined the organization in March 2021. His resume includes Givenchy, Prada, Chloé, and Louis Vuitton, but his first order of business at the Hamburg, Germany-based company was to do a deep dive into its archives to find inspiration to update its signature Meisterstück leather accessories collection.
The German word for “masterpiece,” Meisterstück is also the moniker of Montblanc’s signature writing instrument. Although the pen comes in ballpoint, mechanical pencil, and several other models, it’s best known as a classic fountain pen. The shape of the pen’s nib became the focus of his creative journey: Besides being applied to leather details — like where handles and straps are attached to bags — it’s also been used as inspiration for updated zipper pulls, luggage tags, and closures.
The collection’s silhouettes have been rounded for a more clean, contemporary look, and — one of our favorite touches — a new leather has been developed in a very deep tone of matte black inspired by dark, fluid ink. The Mont Blanc snowcap emblem, a significant branding element, is also used in the collection. A small envelope “Pouch” features the silhouette of a craggy Alpine mountainside, taken from a 1920 Montblanc advertisement.
“The aim was to bring the design of the collection even closer to Montblanc’s iconic symbol of timeless luxury – the Meisterstück writing instrument. By mirroring some of its distinguishing features like the nib itself as well as the colour and shine of the pen’s precious resin with its smooth sensual touch, we have created pieces that truly stand out. Not simply because of their elevated design, but because they clearly showcase Montblanc’s DNA”, explains Marco Tomasetta, Montblanc Artistic Director.
Large leather goods include a briefcase, document case, tote and duffle. Smaller pieces include portfolios, pouches, wallets, card holders, and key pouches. Two other collections, Selection Glacier and Selection Soft, will make their debuts on March 30th and April 1st, respectively.
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