Step into a magical realm with haute couture designer Yiging Yin, with the new Égérie – Pleats of Time concept watch
Photo: Vacheron Constantin
Haute couture designer, Yiqing Yin, of Vacheron Constantin’s One of Not Many, has always taken the artistic world by storm. From her first catwalk show during the Paris Fashion Week, the ANDAM Fash-ion Award Paris, to her work with some of the most prestigious brands, Yin is definitely an all-round artist. Exploring artistic worlds beyond couture, Yin was united with the Maison Vacheron Constantin, to create the Égérie – The Pleats of Time concept watch. The stunning piece, which is free from hour markers, is delicately presented in a diamond-set pink gold case and a lilac mother-of-pearl dial, while a delicate ‘pleats’ pattern unfolds in two stages.
The original haute couture strap is woven with exquisite embroidery and scattered with mother-of-pearl shards, creating a piece that is exceptional and unique. The Maison and Yin, also called on French master perfumer Dominique Ropion, to craft a fragrance that is encapsulated in the watch strap. A true masterpiece, where the worlds of haute couture, haute horlogerie, and haute parfumerie, unite in one unique collaboration of exclusivity, mastery, luxury, and excellence.
You’re the first Chinese-born designer to receive the haute couture label. How does it feel to be crowned that title?
Receiving the haute couture label is a tremendous honor, one that fills me with humility and gratitude. Beyond personal achievement, I aspire for it to break symbolic barriers and ignite inspiration in others to pursue audacious dreams. Moreover, it underscores France’s unique ability to dissolve borders and hierarchies, offering a nurturing space for creativity from diverse origins to flourish.
As a couturier, how would you describe the craftsmanship Vacheron Constantin hones?
It stands as a statement of flawless mastery and understated elegance. Each Vacheron Constantin watch is a gem of apparent sobriety and balance, yet concealing infinite complexity within its meticulously crafted design. The true feast lies beyond what meets the eye; every detail is handcrafted with extreme finesse, reflecting a nobility devoid of artifice, yet bearing witness to perfection. Much like in haute couture, Vacheron Constantin’s commitment to excellence and attention to detail elevate their timepieces to the pinnacle of horological artistry.
What inspired you to accept this collaboration with Vacheron Constantin?
What motivated me was our shared values and quests for excellence, innovation, and the pursuit of beauty. Vacheron Constantin’s dedication to flawless craftsmanship and technical prowess resonates deeply with my commitment in pushing the boundaries of creativity in haute couture. This collaboration presented a unique opportunity to fuse our respective expertise and narratives, creating something truly exceptional that transcends both our realms.
How would you describe the creative process behind designing the Égérie concept watch, The Pleats of Time? What were some of the key elements you wanted to incorporate into the design?
The creative process merged artistry with precision, drawing from the fluidity of my haute couture and the boundless nature of time to evoke perpetual movement and enchantment. By stripping the dial of its conventional markers and retaining only the symbolic moon-phase, I aimed to liberate time from its linear measure and invite exploration of realms steeped in imagination and suspension. The infusion of perfume into the timepiece added an emotional dimension, enriching its narrative as a multi-sensory experience. The Pleats of Time stands as a poetic reflection on the dynamic inter-play between dreams and reality, offering a contemplation of the inherent beauty of the present moment.
Photo: Vacheron Constantin
The Égérie concept watch is a dialogue between haute horlogerie, haute couture and haute parfumerie. How did you navigate the intersection of these three worlds in your design?
Crafting the Égérie concept watch involved navigating the convergence of haute horlogerie, haute couture, and haute parfumerie, each representing distinct, yet interconnected realms of artistry. Driven by innovation and a shared pursuit of excellence, these disciplines explore the depths of existence and capture the essence of time within the fabric of nature and human emotions. Blending technical mastery with sensorial beauty, I aimed to bridge these worlds in a seamless narrative that embodies progress and exploration. Through the creation of a handcrafted scent watch, I intended to offer a sensory journey through time, resonating with emotions in its fluid flow. This fusion not only reflects the profound connection between time, emotion, and artistry, but also transcends conventional boundaries, inviting reflection on the intricate inter-play between memory, imagination, and the eternal passage of time.
As a haute couture designer, what challenges did you face when translating your artistic vision into watch design?
Navigating the structured precision of horology while embracing my fluid, intuitive approach rooted in textile culture, where shapes and lines are freely altered, presented a distinctive challenge. Balancing these contrasting worlds demanded a delicate dialogue between technical constraints and creative expressivity. Through close collaboration with Vacheron Constantin’s development team, characterized by mutual learning and a shared pursuit of excellence, we. crafted a timepiece that harmoniously blends tradition with innovation. This collaborative experience not only broadened my creative horizons, but also fostered a profound admiration for the meticulous rigor intrinsic to haute horlogerie.
How do you envision women incorporating these timepieces into their personal style or daily lives?
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and infused with an enduring allure, these unique timepieces transcend mere functionality, becoming a reflection of a woman’s personal narrative and style. Whether complementing a power suit in the boardroom or accentuating an evening gown for a glamorous night, they exude rarity and sophistication, elevating any ensemble. More than just accessories, they serve as poignant reminders to savor each moment and embrace life’s journey with poise and confidence. Embodying the essence of conscious femininity, these watches empower women to define their own unique relationship to time, setting them apart as symbols of refined individuality.
The ‘pleats’ pattern, adorning both the watch and the accompanying dress, holds profound symbolism while also serving as a dynamic visual element. It expands the narrative and transforms what would be a static surface into one that vibrates with movement and light, reflecting the generous nuances of time itself. To me, pleats represent the very fold of time in space—its constant compression and expansion, evoking a sense of infinity and endless transformation.
An art embroidery adorns the scented strap unfurling in fluid cascades reminiscent of nature’s rhythms, and the flow of time itself, drawing the essence of a perpetually evolving reality within a tangible artifact. This embroidery seeks to redefine the notion of preciousness, by interweaving earthly memories through the inclusion of discarded mother-of-pearl shards and unwoven fibers. These fragments, delicately set within a festoon stitch, hallway between a snake’s shedding and abstract lace patterns, blur the boundaries between the perishable and the permanent—a harmonious fusion of innovative and natural elements.
Collaborating with master perfumer Dominique Ropion, to create a dedicated fragrance for the watch strap is quite innovative. Can you share more about your experience working with him and the inspiration behind the fragrance?
I’ve always been fascinated with perfume and its ability to capture a personal interpretation of the past, distorted through evolving perspectives, blurring the lines between memory and feelings. Perfume speaks of perpetuity and transformation simultaneously, relating to time in such an intimate way. Thus, I saw it as a beautiful endeavor to infuse time with an olfactory dimension, expanding into imaginative and emotional realms. Dominique Ropion, a collaborator and friend for many years, whom I consider truly an alchemist of emotion, joined me in this venture.
The perfume, crafted in collaboration with him, served as a sensory gateway to this imaginative realm, embodying the emotional frequencies of time and its myriad expressions. Our collaboration, rooted in mutual understanding and ongoing intuitive dialogue, allowed him to translate feelings, colors, and textures into raw olfactive materials and formula, that illustrate this weightless, unrestricted state of being. A unique creative journey bridging the realms of emotion, scent, and time to craft an experience that embraces the extraordinary.
The Égérie moon phase watch, created in collaboration with Vacheron Constantin, reflects your creative universe. What is your signature aesthetic in this timepiece?
My signature aesthetic in this timepiece is reflected through the intricate pleating, delicate embroidery, and organic undulations, symbolizing the perpetual interplay between transience and permanence. Carefully crafted to capture the boundless essence of time, these elements echo my intuitive design process, seamlessly blending dreams with reality. Additionally, the use of pastel purple is an intimate choice, inviting wearers to immerse themselves in a dreamlike realm where time transcends its traditional confines.
Photo: Vacheron Constantin
As a haute couture designer, what challenges did you face when translating your artistic vision into watch design?
Navigating the structured precision of horology while embracing my fluid, intuitive approach rooted in textile culture, where shapes and lines are freely altered, presented a distinctive challenge. Balancing these contrasting worlds demanded a delicate dialogue between technical constraints and creative expressivity. Through close collaboration with Vacheron Constantin’s development team, characterized by mutual learning and a shared pursuit of excellence, we. crafted a timepiece that harmoniously blends tradition with innovation. This collaborative experience not only broadened my creative horizons, but also fostered a profound admiration for the meticulous rigor intrinsic to haute horlogerie.
How do you envision women incorporating these timepieces into their personal style or daily lives?
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and infused with an enduring allure, these unique timepieces transcend mere functionality, becoming a reflection of a woman’s personal narrative and style. Whether complementing a power suit in the boardroom or accentuating an evening gown for a glamorous night, they exude rarity and sophistication, elevating any ensemble. More than just accessories, they serve as poignant reminders to savor each moment and embrace life’s journey with poise and confidence. Embodying the essence of conscious femininity, these watches empower women to define their own unique relationship to time, setting them apart as symbols of refined individuality.
