Robert Goossens was born in Paris in 1927. Starting as young as the age of 15, Goossens begins an apprenticeship in various Parisian jewellery houses; learning and perfecting techniques of casting, engraving. Born into a family of foundry workers, Goossens draw towards gold- and silversmithing could only be seen as second nature. His early years saw him crafting small pieces such as snuffboxes for Mellerio and Cartier lighters.

Drawing on influences from Parisian culture of the 1940s and 1950s as well as styles of Byzantium and Renaissance eras, Goossens moves into the world of ‘couture jewelry’. His auspicious partnership with The House of Chanel in 1953 meant that Goossens was not only commissioned to make jewellery but also enlisted to decorate homes and boutiques of Coco Chanel herself, Yves Saint-Laurent and Christian Dior and Cristóbal Balenciaga. During this time, Goossens develops penchant for mixing genuine and artificial stones in his creations. Working with various semi-precious stones such as amethyst, chalcedony and quartz not only sees Goossens producing his most renowned rock crystal jewellery, this earns him the moniker ‘Monsieur Bijou’.

After Chanel’s death in 1971, Goossens would continue to collaborate with her successor Karl Lagerfeld as well as Madame Grès and Loulou de la Falaise. His collection of gilt-bronze sconces, mirrors and chandeliers naturally brought him into contact with the world renowned interior decorator Peter Marino. All his works are still on display in the various Chanel boutiques around the world. His works are part of the Paris Musée des Arts Décoratifs’ permanent collection.

Robert Goossens died at the age of 88 on the 7^thJanuary 2016 in his native France.