Le Tour De Bochic: Murad Osmann Talks About His Collaboration With Bochic

June 24, 2015

By Katerina Perez

5 min read

Le Tour de Bochic is the brand new ongoing collaboration between Murad Osmann and Bochic which began earlier this year in Hong Kong. The project consists of an innovative series of photographs of a girl posing in different places around the world in jewellery designed by the American brand.

I am sure Bochic, the bohemian chic style brand founded by David Aaron Joseph and Miriam Salat, needs no introduction (see here for an interview). The latest original jewellery to spring from their creative minds takes much of its inspiration from their muse, a woman the two of them met on their travels. This mysterious individual is something of a modern day Grace Kelly and is the perfect manifestation of a Bochic woman, a uniquely glamorous Amazonian woman obsessed with adventure and luxury.

David Aaron Joseph,Natalia Osmann (Zakharova) and Murad Osmann

David Aaron Joseph,Natalia Osmann (Zakharova) and Murad Osmann

Given the worldliness of the artists behind the Bochic brand, it makes perfect sense that they would form an artistic collaboration with social-media artist Murad Osmann, creator of the photo project #FollowMeTo. You have probably already seen his pictures of a girl striding forwards pulling a young man behind her; well, two years ago, David also stumbled upon this rapidly spreading phenomenon on Instagram and was taken in by the Russian’s visually rich images of his now wife, Natalya Zakharova, as the two of them travelled the world. As David puts it, Natalya indisputably embodies the spirit of the Bochic woman thanks to her impeccable taste and love of luxury.

Last time I was in Moscow I met up with Murad over a coffee to talk about his project and what it was like to be working with the American brand Bochic.

Le Tour De Bochic

Le Tour De Bochic

Katerina Perez: How long have you been working on the #FollowMeTo project? And do you have anyone helping you out with it?

Murad Osmann: Three years. Yes, I do have someone helping me, but previously I did all of the organisation myself. A couple of times Natasha had to get dressed up and pose in some fairly extreme places, like the Amazon, where she was wearing a dress down to the ground while there were crocodiles all around! Sometimes we ask local children to get involved. Of course, it’s much easier to get the photos when you have been invited by the tourism board because they sort a lot of it out for you.

KP: When you go somewhere for the first time, what goals do you set for yourself? Do you have certain shots in mind before you go?

MO: Not really. We choose the exact angle we want to capture, and then all we need to do is find the right spot. There are a lot of factors you cannot predict, such as the weather or the number of tourists. We had to go back to the Big Buddha in Hong Kong three times and we still could not get the shot, either because of fog or because there were so many people.

KP: What are your criteria for choosing a location for your shot?

MO: Culture, diversity, history, architecture, unexpected takes on well-known tourist attractions or special hidden places that only the locals know.

Le Tour De Bochic

Le Tour De Bochic

KP: How did you meet David?

MO: When Natasha and I took our photos in Baku, we used jewellery by Bochic from our friend’s boutique. We had heard of David, of course, and we had always been fans of his work. When he saw the results he called us up and arranged for us to meet him face to face in New York.

KP: What was it that personally attracted you to the Le Tour de Bochic project?

MO: We would absolutely jump at the opportunity to work with a global jewellery giant like Bochic – they are unlike anything else, with their own unique approach to design and innovative marketing strategy. It was great for us to work with David, especially because our philosophies are different: he is all about unique jewellery whereas we are all about original projects.

KP: Who decides what goes into the project, where to photograph and which jewellery to use?

MO: These are all things we decide upon together. We liked the idea of Sri-Lanka, so we discussed it, went there and took the photos. Now we are in Hong Kong, and we are planning to go to Japan as well as heading back to India again. This project is our hobby. Unfortunately we cannot travel somewhere for a week or two at a time to take our photos, we have to do it on holidays or over long weekends.

Le Tour De Bochic

Le Tour De Bochic

KP: Do you think an original concept like this will help people see the brand in a new light?

MO: Oh yes I think this is very interesting for the brand too: working with new technology as well as using typical outlets of communication. It is a hard thing for big brands to do; it is a big risk for them to go off in a new direction. It is more something that smaller, boutique labels tend to do.

KP: Have you been approached by other brands since the success of Le Tour de Bochic and #FollowMeTo?

MO: We have been, yes, but we have refused a lot of them. The most important thing for us is that the brand is interesting and has a bit of history, that we will work well together and that work will be interesting. I am mainly talking about people who run their own businessas opposed tobig commercial organisations.

Le Tour De Bochic

Le Tour De Bochic

Murad’s first photo exhibition for Le Tour de Bochic took place back in April in Hong Kong. The photos on show were taken in Russia, Georgia, Istambul and India. The location for the next exhibition is yet to be confirmed but you can keep up to date with new photos on Bochic and Murad Osmann’s Instagram profiles.

Photos are taken by Murad Osmann, courtesy of Bochic

Paris and Cartier: Cartier Releases Special Editions For Paris Nouvelle Vague

continue reading

Haute Couture 2025: Exploring Harmonious Balance with the Cartier En Équilibre High Jewellery Collection

Each of the En Équilibre hero creations is composed like a character in a story that we can easily follow. Let’s take a closer look… 

by Sarah Jordan

Haute Couture 2025: A Botanical Reawakening with the Chaumet Jewels by Nature Collection

From magnolia blooms to iris petals caught in the breeze, Chaumet’s Jewels by Nature is a high jewellery collection rooted in the way Empress Joséphine romanticised the natural world.

by Claire Roberts

Setting Themselves Apart: 7 Designers Rethinking the Role of the Gemstone Setting

In jewellery making, the setting is often a silent partner—a technical necessity that secures the stones in place while receding into the background. But a new generation of designers is flipping that script, transforming the process of setting gems into an expressive, sculptural and narrative force.

by Claire Roberts

Beauty of Beginnings: Exploring the Potential of Paper with Katerina Perez

If you are optimistic by nature, you may look at a blank sheet of paper and see limitless opportunities for creativity. Recently, my friend and visual artist Ksenia Usacheva approached me about a new ‘blank canvas’ inspired editorial project, incorporating reams of white paper, brushstrokes of colourful paint, and beautiful high jewellery.

by Ksenia Usacheva

Haute Couture 2025: Stepping Inside ‘Caroline’s Universe’ with the Chopard Red Carpet Collection

Let's take a closer look at some of Caroline Scheufele's latest colourful adornments, including our 10 favourite pieces.

by Sarah Jordan

Beauty Shapes Tomorrow: Nouvel Héritage Unveils High Jewels for 10th Anniversary

For French brand Nouvel Héritage, the time has come to unveil its debut suite of five high jewellery creations, each one an ode to its iconic Mood and Latch collections, as well as the soon-to-be-launched Try Me line.

by Sarah Jordan

Incomparable Artistry: The Legendary Story of Beverly Hills Jewellery Designer Martin Katz 

This formidable Californian jeweller has spent decades sourcing the finest coloured gemstones, creating one-of-a-kind jewels, and dressing famous celebrities. Let me tell you more about an incomparable jewellery tour de force…

by Sarah Jordan

Prophecy and Poetry: The Story Behind My Bespoke Pendant by El’eeté Jewellery

Sometimes universal forces align to put the right person in your path at the perfect time. That was absolutely the case when one of my Instagram followers, Elvira Iurova, the Founder of El’eeté Jewellery, contacted me to introduce her unique bespoke jewellery concept.

by Katerina Perez

Haute Couture 2025: The Most Impressive Flower High Jewels that Bloomed in Paris

Floral jewels have long been a hallmark of high jewellery, but at this year’s Haute Couture presentations in Paris, designers approached the motif with renewed focus and technical ambition. Here, we spotlight the standout floral creations from the 2025 shows.

by Joshua Hendren

Haute Couture 2025: Celebrating 20 Years with the Messika Terres d’Instinct High Jewellery Collection 

Let’s take a closer look at the collection, including some of its neckwear highlights, and discover its romantic inspirations…

by Sarah Jordan

Haute Couture 2025: Exploring the Debut High Jewellery Collection of Sahag Arslanian

This July’s Haute Couture Week in Paris was marked with the exciting launch of a new high jewellery brand that bears the name of its founder. Third-generation diamantaire Sahag Arslanian presented his inaugural series of high jewels, drawing inspiration from the power of the sun and the cosmic world.

by Katerina Perez

Haute Couture 2025: Boucheron Explores Shades of Grey with the Impermanence High Jewellery Collection 

With its Carte Blanche High Jewellery collections, Boucheron's Creative Director Claire Choisne has the power to explore whatever fantastical avenue she pleases, which in 2025 centres on flowers and the natural world.

by Sarah Jordan

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Elevated Expression:Examining The Jade Dynasty Collection by Austy Lee

Let's hear what he has to say on China's most emblematic mineral…

by Sarah Jordan

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

In Conversation:Discussing Paraiba - The Legacy of a Color

with Vogue Singapore

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.