In nature, some of the things that appear delicate and even ephemeral, are actually those that have the most power. Think: A blisteringly hot strike of lightning can branch across the velvet-dark sky like a feathery strand of white fire. It disappears in an instant, but its power is undeniable. Or, the iridescent, paper-thin wings of a scarab beetle; their beauty is ethereal, yet the wings themselves are preternaturally durable — perhaps this is one of the reasons that these insects are symbols of rebirth, resurrection, and eternal life. 

In Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, this duality is reflected in the story’s very foundation. As new life is created from the remains of old lives, electricity infuses slumbering limbs with strength, and a young woman’s fascination with the beautiful creatures that crawl through the darkest corners of the world is apparent in the wasp-waisted dresses she wears, and her elaborately crafted jewelry.

Tiffany & Co. x Frankenstein: A Cinematic Partnership

These jewels are courtesy of the legendary Tiffany & Co., and include archival pieces from the house’s storied collection, including the singularly stunning Wade Necklace, handcrafted from platinum, 18 karat gold, and over 40 carats of diamonds. Its intricate setting reveals an exhilarating expression of artistry, and is an exquisite complement to the character of Elisabeth, played in the film by Mia Goth, who says of the Tiffany creations: “They just fit like a glove. It was absolutely perfect…  It just totally transported me and really put me in the right mindset for this world we were building.”

Now, upon the premiere of the film, this historic cinematic collaboration between del Toro and Tiffany & Co. can be celebrated with a visit to the house’s flagship store in New York City, where an immersive window installation at the Landmark Fifth Avenue location has just been unveiled. Each of the five windows, framed by the architectural ornamentation of Victor Frankenstein’s laboratory, reimagines pivotal scenes from the film, brought to life through the unparalleled magic of Tiffany window displays.

Since the 1950s, Tiffany & Co. has collaborated with some of the world’s greatest creative innovators, including Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol and more. But the house is also known for its unique connection to the history of cinema, notably with the role of the Tiffany’s windows in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, or with collaborations such as Baz Luhrman’s 2013 film The Great Gatsby. All of this has led to the historic installation overseen by del Toro in celebration of his cinematic masterpiece and the role of Tiffany jewelry seen throughout the film.

The windows will be synchronously “brought to life” with a multisensory installation that will be experienced on special digital screens above and animated within each theatrical display. Fifth Avenue will watch as vivid strikes of lightning move to the film’s monumental score by composer Alexandre Desplat, which will play at the street level, reaching its highest voltage after dark. The five scenes that are on display will encapsulate different narrative elements of the film, including: the laboratory, the wedding, tower stairs, North Pole, and the spire.

And for those eager to find out more about this epic collaboration, you can watch the exclusive featurette right here, and listen to behind-the-scenes insight from del Toro, Goth, and costume designer Kate Hawley, as well as Christopher Young, Tiffany & Co. VP of creative visual merchandising, events, and the Tiffany archive, who says about the collaboration, “We have this incredible 200 year legacy. We wanted to pull pieces that were from the age of Mary Shelley, so that you could study the construction and the choices our designers were making at that time. It’s sexy, yet it comes from the past, I think that’s a wonderful balance for us to play in.”

ILLUSTRATION BY KATE HAWLEY