The fan has seemingly been around since hot weather. A cooling device but a symbol of wealth and power in Antiquity, the pharaohs were fanned by their servants and the first hand fans probably appeared in China, circa 10th century BC and were originally made from feathers and reserved for the Emperor and high-ranking officials. And in the Middle Ages it became a fashion accessory in Europe where fans were introduced into Spain by Spanish and Portuguese explorers towards the end of the Middle Ages. They were notably favored by Catherine de Medici in the 16th century who would introduce them into the French court and they were all the rage during the reign of Louis XIV. They cooled you downed, concealed your emotions or something rather unsightly in the facial area. France would go on to become the center of fan making in Europe.

But new luxurious fans have emerged on the European continent once again, this time in workshops in the heart of Geneva, Switzerland where the luxury house of S by Salanitro has further embellished this object/accessory of millennia. The master gem setter and creator of prestigious high jewelry watches Pierre Salanitro has turned his talents to setting fans with gemstones with each fan metamorphosing into a work of art. You can wear it as an accessory like Karl Lagerfeld whose biopic series Becoming Karl Lagerfeld, is premiering on Disney Channel on June 7th, or display it as a work of art.

Fans are fascinating architectural structures in and of themselves. Its frame consists of finely crafted ribs upon which noble delicate materials like silk or cotton are stretched, adorned with printed patterns. At S by Salanitro only natural silk or organic cotton are used with the fibers being hand-cut. They are then set with 44 diamonds totalling 1.3 carats shining like tiny stars out beyond your face. All the artisans – fan makers and gem setters, true artists in their fields – worked in concert. “This new take on the hand fan is a way of innovating in unexpected territory. Beyond the exceptional craftsmanship and timeless elegance, I invite you to let yourself be seduced by the thrill of a fan unfolding, as it reveals not only its beauty but also the history and passion of those who created it,” explains Pierre Salanitro. These fabulous fans are now available from the S by Salanitro online boutique: https://sbysalanitro.com
And through its network of retailers in Switzerland, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette