Reed Krakoff Designed Tiffany T1 Collection With the Modern Woman in Mind

It is probably safe to say that in addition to the iconic blue box, the “T” motif is Tiffany & Co‘s most enduring symbol. The newest collection from the brand, promptly titled Tiffany T1, celebrates that symbol by looking at the past and offering an effortlessly modern line meant for every day use.

Designed by Reed Krakoff, Tiffany’s chief artistic officer, Tiffany T1 will be unveiled with a year-long series of global launches, and kicked off in April with a curated edit of 18-karat rose gold styles. The nine designs have a three-dimensional feel and include a sleek, hinged bangle of varying widths and a ring boasting hand-set pavé diamonds. The main difference between previous incarnations of the T collection — which first appeared under John Loring in the 1980s — and the newest Tiffany T1 is the fact that Krakoff created the T motif into a single looping T, as opposed to two facing T motifs designed by Loring in the past. 

Below, Krakoff lets us in on the design process and why the collection is meant to be worn every day in celebration of yourself.

Congratulations on the new Tiffany T1 launch. What elements have you incorporated into the new collection in order to honor the iconic T motif?

In the process of creating it, we knew T1 had to live up to and be worthy of the Tiffany name and had to push the legacy of the T collection forward. We wanted it to be something that people could celebrate themselves with, something as iconic as Tiffany T, but distinctive in its own way. The “T” motif has been featured in Tiffany jewelry since the 1980s. We wanted to evolve it into a bold new symbol that felt very modern, fusing the “T” shapes into one continuous design. We integrated a beveled edge into the unbroken circle, which adds contour and dimensionality to the designs.

Can you walk us through the collection? What are some of the most memorable pieces?

We began by launching nine exclusive 18k rose gold styles. The pavé work on many of the pieces is amazing; we hand-set the diamonds in a honeycomb pattern that allows the stones to be nestled together with minimal metal showing. This technique brings the pieces to life with incredible scale, texture and dimension. It’s very refined and wearable, something that can be part of a stack or worn alone.

One of the most memorable pieces for me is the T1 high jewelry choker. The bold T motif sits asymmetrical on the neckline and there’s over 14 carats of mixed-cut diamonds. It’s incredibly elegant, but it also has this everyday appeal. Charlize Theron wore the choker on the red carpet earlier this year, but I think what’s amazing about the piece—and T1 in general—is that it transcends formalwear. It’s meant to be worn in any context, any way you want to. It’s the utmost expression of personal style.

What should one wear with the T1 collection?

At Tiffany, we are looking to redefine what modern luxury means, which in my mind is about living with beautiful things every day, really making well-crafted things part of your life and personal style. Investing in well made things that can become part of your lifestyle.  It was important for me to have Tiffany diamonds incorporated into as much of the design as possible. For me, Tiffany T1 shouldn’t be saved for special occasions—the pieces can be worn everyday as a celebration of yourself.

How would the T1 collection appeal to a new, younger clientele?

It’s always inspiring in the design process to envision the type of person who will wear what I’m creating. That person changes with the cultural mood, and I think it is essential to capture the spirit of that zeitgeist when designing. Today, so many women are at the forefront of change and are powerful voices in their communities. I wanted to design something that was inspired by their strength, something that felt really bold and strong. This collection is also about the idea of purchasing something for yourself. The ‘1’ relates to the first T motif from the 1980s that we found in the Tiffany archives, but it also relates to the idea that you are ‘the one’.

It is imperative for heritage brands like Tiffany & Co. to look ahead while keeping tradition.  Beyond this collection, how do you fuse Tiffany’s past with its future?

When I started at Tiffany, I spent a lot of time in the archives trying to see as much as I could. I usually look through certain periods, but I try not to take too much in at one time. I think at some point you have to move forward with that history in your back pocket. You kind of take it as a jumping-off point—but that’s what’s exciting. Nothing comes back the same way twice.

I read that as a child, you used to visit Tiffany & Co.’s boutique with your mother. What are some of the memories from those times?

I remember knowing instinctively that there was something special about that store. I long wanted to be part of it.

What are the differences between designing jewelry and clothes? 

I think design is design. The biggest point of differentiation is the execution. At Tiffany, we have incredible technical people—gemologists, silversmiths, stone cutters and setters—who are truly unrivaled in their respective trades. These artisans are able translate a sketch or an idea of a piece into reality, and the result is nothing short of a work of art. You don’t always get that level of craftsmanship when creating garments. Tiffany jewelry reflects the expertise of our craftspeople, who bring a lifetime of experience and understanding to our house of design.

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Tiffany T1 is available at Tiffany.com, and is priced from $850. Additional metal tones, including 18-karat yellow and white gold, are expected to launch this fall, with diamond-accented pieces including bracelets, earrings and pendants slated to launch in the future.