Wynn Magazine - Las Vegas
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/760086
OPPOSITE PAGE: PHOTOGRAPHY BY HULTON ARCHIVE/GET T Y IMAGES. THIS PAGE: PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CARTIER (RING); BACKGROUND ON BOTH PAGES: PHOTOGRAPHY BY V. DE L A FAILLE © CARTIER he house of Cartier has built its reputation on jewelry that feels absolutely current even many decades after it was introduced. Those just receiving their fi rst Trinity ring may be surprised to learn that it debuted in 1924. That modern icon the Love bracelet was created in 1969, while the Tank and Santos watches were introduced in 1919 and 1978, respectively. So when it came time for Cartier to renovate its Wynn boutique, the mission was as much about telling the story of the brand's rich heritage as it was refreshing and modernizing its expansive space. The store's clean lines and muted tones produce a sense of elegant, understated grandeur, punc- tuated by a few majestic focal points, like the massive Windfall chandelier—featuring 50 balances and silver-plated mouth-blown glass candles—that hangs near the entrance. There is an almost residential warmth to the space, which was designed by Bruno Moinard, who has worked on more than 350 Cartier boutiques worldwide, as well as apartments for the likes of Karl Lagerfeld. The undeniably luxurious atmosphere, with a nod to Art Deco design, is especially appro- priate for a brand that's been selling precious jewelry since 1847, when Louis-Francois Cartier founded his namesake company in Paris. "When clients buy a piece of jewelry or a timepiece from Cartier, they are buying an object created by a house with almost 170 years of history," says Mercedes Abramo, the brand's North American president and chief operating offi cer. "They are looking for exceptional pieces that will withstand the test of time, as they are not just spending but making an investment." The T The historic house of Cartier draws on its heritage to create a thoroughly modern new boutique. by Rachel Felder TIME HONORED