For the first time ever, Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto is to turn his attention to designing a line of jewellery. He is joining forces with iconic pearl specialist Mikimoto to develop a new jewellery brand, whose name is as yet being kept a secret. The Japanese houses will create a 20-piece collection focusing on Mikimoto's famed gem of choice, the pearl.

"The pearl is a symbol of feminine perfection, and, in the quintessential universe of fine jewellery, it stands alone," the jeweller said. "For these reasons, Mikimoto's incomparable reputation for designing, producing and selling the world's finest cultured pearl jewellery made it a perfect choice for Yohji Yamamoto."

Although Mikimoto has, in the past, launched a fashion designer collection with Badgley Mischka, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang, it is the first time the jewellery house has collaborated with a fashion designer on such an extensive collection. The collection will debut at the Paris couture shows in July, and will be available at Yohji Yamamoto stores and Mikimoto points of sale in Europe and Asia in 2008.