Yvonne Léon breaks all of the rules. Like everything we love about Paris, her designs feature exquisite detailing and edgy elegance. From sophisticated signet rings to whimsical textures, her collections prove it’s possible to make a statement with fine jewelry alone.
Yvonne’s first boutique opened in February 2017 in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés quarter, in the heart of Paris’s 6th arrondissement. Her second boutique, on the Rive Droite, then opened on rue François 1er, in the 8th arrondissement, in the heart of the famous Triangle d’Or.
Like her designs, Yvonne’s boutiques surprise and delight locals and travelers alike alongside haute couture brands and charming, classical Parisian bohemian backdrops. Here, the designer tells us in her own words why you must stop at Yvonne Léon in Paris.
Tell us about your boutiques.
“Working in collaboration with the Necchi Architecture studio, our shops are distinguished by their delicately powdered decor, creating a refined atmosphere. The furniture, with its rounded curves, evokes a contemporary femininity, blending elegance and modernity to create a welcoming and sophisticated setting.”
Are any of your pieces inspired by Paris?
“The city, with its rich cultural heritage, timeless elegance, and creative spirit, infuses every one of our designs. From architecture to fashion, art to everyday life, Paris remains an endless source of inspiration.
For example, our ‘Amour’ collection is directly inspired by Paris’s nickname, “The City of Love.” Our textures, such as Berlingot, Cannage, Gaufrette, and Torsadé, evoke the characteristic moldings of Haussmann flats. Finally, Damiers is reminiscent of the typical cobbled floors of Paris.”
Tell us a bit about the influences for your designs.
“I take my inspiration mainly from vintage, through family jewelry boxes, second-hand goods, and flea markets, and I bring these finds of yesteryear up to date. The creations pay tribute to the past and reflect its quirky side. I also want to deliver a fresh, alternative vision of jewelry. I innovate with unique shapes and ways of wearing jewelry, under the ear, in mismatched pairs, minimal or radical.”
Many of your designs make a fashion statement from exquisite, fine materials. In a way, they sit at the intersection of luxury and fun. Tell us a bit about that.
“We love to work with exquisite materials and precious stones, not only for their quality but also for their beauty, but we are also keen to give pleasure by creating jewelry that evokes joy, happiness, and escape while retaining the precious side of jewelry.
Respecting the strictest traditions, I allow myself some transgressions. I want to be the brand that women choose when they give themselves jewelry—strong, unexpected, playful, or tender pieces that sound like mantras.”
