In a rare meeting of haute joaillerie and high beauty, Dior unveils an extraordinary new chapter in its storied legacy: Rouge Premier, reimagined as a work of art by Victoire de Castellane, Artistic Director of Dior Jewelry, and Peter Philips, Creative and Image Director for Dior Makeup. This remarkable creation is not merely a lipstick—it is an objet d’art, a statement of craftsmanship, and a testament to Dior’s devotion to beauty as an heirloom.
The Rouge Premier formula itself is as precious as its encasement. Enriched with red hibiscus extract and flecked with 24-carat gold micro-particles, it offers a sensorial experience that fuses skincare with glamour. The 12-shade palette delivers deep, luminous colour designed to magnify every smile, echoing the radiance of the jewel-like case that cradles it.
Inspired by the natural world—a shared passion between Victoire de Castellane and Christian Dior—the case blooms into a miniature spring garden. This jeweled Eden is alive with flowers, insects, and delicate creatures, meticulously sculpted and set with precious stones in shimmering hues. Paraiba tourmalines, turquoises, and opals play in luminous contrast, each facet reflecting the artistry of Dior’s master goldsmiths.
The design process was itself a symphony of savoir-faire. From the precision engineering of the lipstick’s mechanism to the nuanced application of lacquer—Victoire de Castellane’s signature touch—the craftsmanship speaks of endless hours at the jeweller’s bench. The lacquer’s hypnotic gradients, alternating between transparency and opacity, create a dynamic interplay reminiscent of light passing through petals.
Beyond its beauty, this creation hides a secret: its transformation into a necklace. A delicate gold chain, adorned with motifs from the Mimirose line and sprinkled with colourful flowers, allows the Rouge Premier to be worn close to the heart. In this way, it becomes a jewel not just for the vanity but for the body—a talisman of elegance and self-expression.
This hybrid creation captures the natural affinity between jewels and beauty. Just as precious stones refract light in a myriad of ways, makeup shades convey moods—red, in particular, standing as Dior’s emblem of passion and audacity. Here, that symbolism is immortalised, bridging the fleeting glamour of makeup with the timelessness of haute joaillerie.
The olfactory dimension further deepens the experience. Subtle accords of floral citrus, rooibos, bergamot, and black tea evoke refinement and sensuality, enhancing the ritual of application into something intimate and immersive.
Rouge Premier in this haute joaillerie form is not simply a product—it is a narrative of artistry, nature, and legacy, to be worn, cherished, and passed on. Dior has, once again, elevated beauty into a realm where luxury is defined not by excess, but by the permanence of craftsmanship and the poetry of design.
In the hands of de Castellane and Philips, this creation transcends categories, becoming a singular expression of the Dior woman—bold yet refined, modern yet timeless. Rouge Premier is not only a celebration of beauty, but of the enduring bond between art and the everyday rituals that make us feel most ourselves.
