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The legacy of Van Cleef and Arpels began in 1906 when the founder couple of the House Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels, and her brother Charles, joined to open a boutique in the most elegant area in Paris, place Vendôme. It is the beginning of a family saga and the lifelong obsession for beauty and quality that passed through the 20th century and continues through the 21st century.
Many jewels, fashion accessories, timepieces and 'objets d'art' from the Van Cleef & Arpels Private Collection, as well as exceptional archives, family snapshots, printed advertisements and original drawings that tell the fascinating story of a family saga whose prestige and renown lives on.
The Art of Magical Jewels will reveal every aspect of this sparkling journey trough 7 different themes: History, Nature, Couture, Celebrities, Eclectism, Workshop & Mystery setting and the World of Ballet, revealing one of its latest High-jewellery collection Ballet Précieux.
Nature
Nature is one of Van Cleef & Arpels most emblematic theme. A number of jewels are inspired by the world of fauna and flora and embody the idea of "Movement and Transformation". The floral theme, and all of its constantly evolving versions, has inspired many creations- peonies, poppies, camellias, roses, natural bouquets- as has the animal (existing and imagined) theme. This inspiration endures today in all the collections.
Couture
France is known all over the world as the fashion capital. The world of Haute Couture, with its colours, fine materials and the elegant muses of the Belle Époque or 50's eras have greatly inspired the art of Van Cleef & Arpels.
The creations themselves are symbols of technical prowess such as the stunning jewelled 'trompe-l'oeils' representing ribbons, lace, Claudine collars, bows, buttons or gold mesh. The most exceptional piece is the recreation of a zipper as a dazzling necklace that also transforms into a bracelet.
Celebrities
The story of Van Cleef & Arpels is also that of the many unique women, be they famous or not, who have worn its creations.
The House has often been associated with historic events such as coronations, or famous love stories such as engagements or weddings. The most celebrated actresses of the stage or screen, the most adored divas have all coveted Van Cleef & Arpels. Thanks to their beauty and talent; they are all "ambassadors" of the House. A true source of inspiration, these muses have sparked the creation of exceptional pieces. Van Cleef & Arpels remains the jeweller whose signature is linked to beauty and elegance, continuing to enchant the most beautiful and exceptional women.
The Art of Magical Jewels displays photographs featuring glamorous divas from the stage and the screen, and foremost personalities who all succumb to match their elegance and beauty with Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery, such as Princess Grace Kelly, Princess Soraya, Jacky Kennedy, Maria Callas, Duchess of Windsor and closer, Julia Roberts, Sofia Coppola, Diane Kruger, Eva Mendes ...
Eclectism
Egyptian, Chinese, Japanese or African decorative details fascinated the French all through the 20th century. A curiosity and passion for all things "exotic" that also applied to the art of jewellery, specially during the Art Deco and 70's periods.
The exhibition displays the many jewels, fashion accessories and "objets d'art" that are a testimony of the extraordinary influence of the Orient, Africa and Asia on the creativity of Van Cleef & Arpels.
Savoir-faire, Mystery Setting and Design
This exhibition unveils some of the workshop's best kept secrets of creativity thanks to the exceptional presence of a jeweller and a designer from the House's original workshop in Paris who will perform on live and will be at the disposition of exclusive clients who would like to take appointment to place special orders.
Mock-ups, archive documents, photos, illustrations and films pay homage to the most desirable signature which brought artistry to each jewel that it produced and which influenced the world of jewellery.
Van Cleef & Arpels is the only jewellery House on the Place Vendôme to have kept its original workshop. It is in this workshop or "atelier" that Van Cleef & Arpels completes all of its jewellery creations, including the mythical Mystery Setting jewels.
What is the The Mystery Setting? Precious stones in a piece of jewellery with no visible setting. A remarkable technique created by Van Cleef & Arpels in 1933, patented in 1934 and perfected ever since (the most recent patent, using diamonds, was obtained in 1990). A masterpiece of virtuosity, a piece of jewellery involving the Mystery Setting requires months of work by the House's most accomplished jewellers, known in the Van Cleef & Arpels ateliers as the "Grandes Mains" (great hands).
The Van Cleef & Arpels style is also characterized by sophistication and an effortless natural elegance with nothing obvious about it. "True art is that which does not look like art at all. And one must do everything in one's power to conceal it," wrote the Italian Balthazar Castiglione in the 16th century concerning his concept of sprezzatura. Sprezzatura is a combination of ease, elegance, a touch of casualness, a bit of arrogance, unselfconsciousness, a hint of haughtiness and quiet confidence. In the world of Van Cleef & Arpels, this results in creations that demand inordinate amounts of patience as well as true technological innovations.
The world of Ballet
Van Cleef & Arpels has made Dance one of its major sources of inspiration. From as early as the 1940's, the House created graceful and poetic ballerina clips. In 1967, after meeting Claude Arpels, the choreographer George Balanchine created the Jewels ballet inspired by the three precious gems; emerald, ruby and diamond. Pursuing this 'pas de deux', Van Cleef & Arpels pays vibrant homage to the Art of Dance with its High Jewellery Ballet Précieux collection, offering spectacular and unique pieces that embody endless grace, harmony and poetry.
Posted by Nadeen El Ajou
