From May 15 to June 5, the prestigious Place Vendôme will host a gigantic necklace made up of giant pearls, each three meters in diameter, displaying a photograph by Thierry Bouët.

This spectacular staging pays tribute to half a century of history, dating back to the first experimental grafts carried out in Hikueru in 1961 by Jean-Marie Domard. Ingrid Izquierdo, Director of the Maison de la Perle, emphasizes the importance of reviving the heritage of the Tahitian cultured pearl and repositioning it as a luxury product on the global market.

As the global showcase of fine jewelry, Place Vendôme offers an ideal setting to attract an international clientele. Major houses such as Cartier and Mauboussin will actively participate by featuring the black pearl prominently in their window displays throughout the exhibition.

The works of Thierry Bouët may later travel the world, with exhibition projects planned in Japan, Italy, Monaco, and the United States — a clear strategy of cultural and commercial outreach spearheaded by the Maison de la Perle.

The official opening, scheduled for May 18 at 6:30 p.m., will take place in the presence of French Minister of Culture Frédéric Mitterrand. This sends a strong message for a 22-million-XPF operation, seen by its promoters as a major communication lever for the future of the industry.

However, this high-profile initiative orchestrated by the Maison de la Perle, a public institution launched in 2009, is not without controversy. Several pearl farmers continue to criticize its cost and question its real usefulness, despite the media impact it aims to achieve.