An excellent example of an early collaboration is that between surrealist artist Salvador Dali (1904 – 1989) and Piaget. In 1967, the brand released a limited edition collection that includes everything from cufflinks and tie clips to rings and watches. The concept of this collection was the ‘Dali d’or,’ an imaginary currency in the form of gold coins. Dali has been fascinated throughout his life by this precious metal, making a collaboration with Piaget perfect, as at the time, the brand would only make watches and jewelry in either gold or platinum. The coins show an image of two people, most likely Dali and his muse Gala, in a field of flowers. Thanks to the ultra-slim movements that Piaget was making, the ‘Dali d’Or’ could also be transformed into a coin watch, making for an exquisite blend of watchmaking, jewelry and art.
Gae Aulenti (1927 – 2012) was one of the leading ladies in architecture who graduated in 1954 from the Polytechnic University of Milan as one of two women in a class of 20. With her strong character, she joined the Neo-Liberty movement, which focused on rational and organic architecture, and maintaining a close relationship with the identity of its surroundings. However, her career would not include just buildings; she also designed sets for Milan’s famous opera house, La Scala; lamps for Stilnovo; and furniture for Kartell and Zanotta.