Timeless Design by Van Cleef & Arpels @DesignDaysDubai

Timeless Design An Exhibition by Van Cleef & Arpels

French High Jewelry Maison Van Cleef & Arpels is a partner in Design Days Dubai for the fourth consecutive year. Renowned for its exceptional savoir-faire, the Maison presents Timeless Design: a High Jewelry exhibition that brings together beautiful creations, combining refinement and elegance. It includes unique pieces from the Pierres de Caractère™ – Variations collection, along with iconic models such as the Zip necklace. To highlight the timeless elegance of the Maison’s style and patrimony, a rare selection from the Van Cleef & Arpels’ Collection is also showcased. 

With the Pierres de Caractère – Variations collection, the Maison pays homage to the beauty of stones, to their enchanting hues and the emotions they evoke. The pieces stand out as much for their rare gems as they do for their dazzling color combinations. Adopted by Van Cleef & Arpels in the 1960s and 1970s, these associations of materials today inspire daring harmonies. They represent new refinement in jewelry and virtuoso elegance; a harmony of boldness and excellence. 

The collection is also a tribute to the travels undertaken by the Arpels brothers in Asia and India between the 1950s and the 1970s: during this time they acquired exceptional colored gems. 

One of the major pieces of the collection, the Baia Verde necklace is crowned by an ensemble of Zambian emeralds weighing a total of 33.26 carats, highlighted by discrete borders of Paraíba-like tourmalines. Its evocative name (“green bay” in Italian) and colors pay homage to the verdant vegetation and turquoise waters of Portofino – a marvel of the Italian Riviera which became a much sought-after destination in the 1960s. 

The Mherulisa set evokes a trip to India in the footsteps of Claude and Jacques Arpels. It brings together a set of 15 cushion-cut rubies from Mozambique, for a total weight of 39.30 carats. 

In keeping with Van Cleef & Arpels’ tradition of transformable pieces, the necklace and earrings can be worn in more than one way, since the white pearl motifs are detachable.

The Perles Mystérieuses necklace reveals a rich association of materials: sapphires, diamonds, turquoise and cultured pearls. The latter hangs delicately on Mystery Set™ motifs, creating an elegant harmony from white to blue.

With its association of diamonds, yellow sapphires and spessartite garnets, the Rayons Précieux set displays a dazzling gradation of solar hues. This rare variety of garnet is renowned for its vivid orange color, which illuminates the necklace and the earrings.

Another exceptional piece is the Solitaire Deva ring, in platinum, set with 1 pear-shaped DFL diamond of 12.54 carats. With its creative setting, it is adorned with a unique stone that makes the heart beat faster and instills a unique emotion.   

The Maison also presents iconic pieces such as the Zip Antique Confettis Sapphires necklace, honoring the innovative design of the Zip necklace – first created in 1950 from the suggestion of the Duchess of Windsor. In white gold, this transformable creation combines round diamonds, round sapphires and sapphire beads.

Historical objects related to art and design form a highlight of the exhibition. Since the 1910s, Van Cleef & Arpels created numerous precious and sophisticated objects that are more than utilitarian; they are true works of decorative art. Each piece presented at the occasion of Design Days Dubai has been selected with a curatorial eye for art historical significance, imaginative design, strong craftsmanship, taste and ultimately: beauty.

One exceptional piece is the model of the Varuna yacht, equipped with an electrical contact for a butler's bell. This small-scale model of the yacht Varuna of New York was created circa 1908. The real schooner belonged to an American commodore, heir to an immense fortune and a leading figure of New York. Designed to rest on a table, it was originally electrically wired to call the butler.

The High Jewelry exhibition is accompanied by a unique creation by the talented emerging designer Ivan Parati, who was selected from the entire region in a competition organized in collaboration with Tashkeel and Design Days Dubai. The finalists of the Middle East Emergent Artist Prize competition addressed the theme of Functional and Conceptual Design, providing an exploration of the dynamics between natural and industrial elements inspired by the interplay between form, function and aesthetics. Van Cleef & Arpels presents the winning creation Tiletable at the exhibition. 

Lovers of beauty have the opportunity to witness first-hand the refined craftsmanship and meticulous skills of the Van Cleef & Arpels’ expert master craftsmen – the Mains d’Or™ – during a live workshop at the exhibition. The Jewelry workshop offers an exceptional opportunity to explore the intricate techniques of High Jewelry, including waxing and polishing. Visitors are also invited to follow a gemstone's progress through the technique of stone setting. This hands-on experience allows them to appreciate all the richness of this savoir-faire.

Visit the exhibition from March 16 - 20, 2015 to discover Timeless Design, by Van Cleef & Arpels.