Beyoncé made fashion history as the first black woman to wear the iconic 128.54 carat Tiffany Diamond.
The Grammy-winning actress wears the stunning piece of jewelry with one of the largest yellow diamonds in the world, while she and her rapper husband Jay-Z become the faces of Tiffany & Co’s new “About Love” campaign.
“Love is the diamond that adorns jewelry and art,” said the power couple in a press release on Monday.
The Tiffany diamond was originally excavated in South Africa in 1877.
Since then, it has been worn by Mary Whitehouse, wife of American diplomat Edwin Sheldon Whitehouse, Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn and singer Lady Gaga.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s shoot marks the first time the diamond has been featured in an advertising campaign, Tiffany said in the press release.
In one photo, Jay-Z, 51, leans back in a chair while looking at the “Lemonade” hit maker, who channels her inner Hepburn in a black dress paired with black opera gloves and a chic updo. A painting from Jean-Michel Basquiat’s private collection called “Equals Pi”, which resembles the signature Tiffany Blue, provides a suitable background.
Jay-Z adds some luxury to his black tuxedo by wearing Jean Schlumberger’s iconic Bird on a Rock brooch, which has been reconstructed as a unique cufflink.
“Beyoncé and Jay-Z are the epitome of the modern love story,” said Alexandre Arnault, executive vice president of product and communications, in the press release. “As a brand that has always stood for love, strength and self-expression, we can’t think of a more iconic couple that better represents Tiffany’s values. We are honored to have the Carters as part of the Tiffany family. “
The “About Love” campaign shot by Mason Poole starts on September 2nd worldwide.
As part of the partnership, Beyoncé and Jay-Z also shot a video ad showing Beyoncé’s interpretation of “Moon River”, the famous song from the 1961 film “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”.
Tiffany & Co said it will donate $ 2 million to scholarship and internship programs for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). These are colleges in the United States that were founded prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and were designed to serve the African American community.
