DINH VAN (1927 -)

Jean Dinh Van is a French-Vietnamese designer from Paris. He attended Les Beaux Arts de Paris. In 1965, after having spent 10 years working with Cartier, Dinh Van opens his own workshop. A collaboration with Pierre Cardin results in a square ring with 2 pearls, now in the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris.

In 1976 he opens his first store in Paris. Friendships with artists such as Paco Rabanne, Pierre Cardin and Cesar, enable these to create their own jewellery, facilitated by Dinh Van. His own signature pieces include the “Menottes” (handcuffs) and “Lames de Rasoir” (rasorblades).

In 1980, together with the sculptor Cesar,  he creates the now infamous jewel in the shape of a woman’s breast.