Fred

Fred Samuel’s father was a jeweller and inspired his son. In 1925, Fred (1908–2006) began his training with the renowned René Worms. In 1936, he purchased a boutique at 6 Rue Royale, Paris. His “charms” — small pendants inspired by Parisian landmarks — were a great success among foreign tourists, and celebrities began flocking to the new boutique. In 1941, he was ordered to remove the name Samuel from his store. As restrictions intensified, the jeweller decided to save his business by (fictitiously) selling it to a friend. In September 1944, he returned to Paris and to his boutique. In his autobiography, Memoirs of a Jeweller, he explains why he kept only his first name on the storefront: “Perhaps as a challenge, perhaps to never forget those monstrous hours, perhaps also to preserve a healthy anonymity.” From the 1960s onward, the company experienced steady growth when Fred’s sons, Henri and Jean, joined the business. In 1966, Fred designed a bracelet made of sailing cable and a shackle-style clasp, inspired by his passion for sailing. This became the foundation for the Force 10 collection in 1978, which was later expanded with more nautically inspired jewellery. Today, Fred is considered one of the ten most prestigious jewellery houses.