Eugenie Niarchos Reimagines Man Ray With an Exclusive Venyx Tribute Collection and Cocktail at Casa Cruz

In New York, works by artist and pioneer photographer Man Ray are housed at cultural institutions and private collections across the city. From The Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Guggenheim, the photographs are admired by scholars, referenced by fashion editors, and adored by art lovers. To mark Venyx’s 10th anniversary, jewelry designer Eugenie Niarchos reimagined Ray’s work to live beyond gallery walls and closed doors through an exclusive capsule collection.

In collaboration with the Man Ray Trust, Niarchos created a limited edition line of modern surrealist pieces that only a fine art collector and jewelry aficionado could dream about. Choosing three of Ray’s mediums–a painting, sculpture, and a photograph–Niarchos translated his vision into her own Venyx collection. “I want these pieces to be worn and loved by men and women,” Niarchos explained. “This project was a challenge but even more rewarding as I’ve been a longtime fan of Man Ray.”

Guests including Diane Von Furstenberg, Larry Gagosian, Dasha Zhukova Niarchos, James Green, Rachel Feinstein, Anna Weyant, Jeff Koons, Jesse Lazowski, Charlie de Viel Castel, Isabella Massenet and Julio Santo Domingo, Derek Blasberg, Erik Torstensson, Paul Arnhold, Talita von Furstenberg, and Vogue’s Chloe Malle and Mark Guiducci joined Niarchos for a private preview of the collection and cocktails at Casa Cruz.

While Ray’s Glass Tears(1932) rests just a few blocks away at the Modern Museum of Art, the Venyx reconceptualization outfitted in Mother of Pearl and diamonds gives the piece a chance to join the party. For her sculptural work, Niarchos focused on Venus Restored(1936). A nude female torso made of white cocholong and light grey quartz is crisscrossed in golden threads and paved diamonds. These replicas represent a wearable interpretation of the complex relationship between eroticism, surrealism, and femininity reclaimed by a woman.

In the striking campaign, the line was gorgeously debuted on model Maggie Maurer. Inspired by Ray’s flame-red lips from the Observatory Time: The Lovers(1936), Niarchos gorgeously adapts the motif across a yellow gold pendant, a brooch, and a double finger ring adorned with sapphires. Most notably, the iconic pout gets a very Venyx diamond treatment and is paired with a silk rope clasp to create a statement choker. Naturally, this piece was effortlessly sported by the designer herself.

For friends and fans who are eager to take a closer look at the pieces, the limited edition collection will be exclusively available at Gagosian until December 22.