Those who are familiar with the Van Cleef & Arpels collection won’t need much convincing of the connection between the brand’s finest pieces and the world of art. From the use of colour to the way that different collections use motifs from nature and from underlying concepts, such as movement and freedom.
In fact, an exhibition that took place just last year, towards the end of 2022, was built on the very concept of Van Cleef & Arpels’ connection with art – showcasing the different ways that the jewellery makers seek to impart movement into precious metals. The idea behind the founding of this exhibition was to show how Van Cleef & Arpels has long sought to instil dynamic movement and a degree of lightness into the design of each jewellery piece. Through a combination of three-dimensional design and colour, the Art of Movement is something that directly correlates with how each VCA piece of jewellery is designed, taking inspiration from the outside world and bringing it into each collection.
But, before we talk in detail about the Van Cleef & Arpels collection and how the individual pieces reflect the ornate and intricate beauty found in art, let’s consider the history of the brand and how it became such a coveted, luxury name.
Van Cleef & Arpels’ History and Rise to Prominence
With its first store opening in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels is a brand famously built on the foundation of love. It was a marriage between two young people that brought the Van Cleef and the Arpels families together, fusing their skills in sourcing precious gemstones and creating fine pieces of jewellery.
Further boutiques opened in the following years, with the expansion of the brand elevating its name and unique creations in terms of global recognition and popularity. In 1925, a bracelet featuring red and white roses, created by VCA, won the grand prize at the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts – kickstarting a connection between VCA and the world of modern art that has lasted just shy of 100 years to date.
Ever since this award was presented in Paris, the status of the brand rose in terms of popularity, with 1930 bringing with it the request to produce a crown for the Queen of Egypt. Notable celebrity buyers became connected with the brand, including Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor, who were both pictured out and about with Van Cleef & Arpels original pieces over the years spanning their glittering careers.
Safe to say, from the earliest days through to its current place on the market, Van Cleef & Arpels continues to delight buyers and push the boundaries of modern jewellery design. But what inspires the unique and colourful designs, and what impact does art have on the brand?
Inspiration Behind the Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
As you browse the various collections brought to life by Van Cleef & Arpels, you will quickly see that one of the most important influences is nature. From the floral motifs to the iconic Alhambra collection of four-leaf-clover-shaped designs, nature is a never-ending source of inspiration for the VCA designers – emanating the most natural essence of art in its purest form. Not only do these individual items and collections inspire an appreciation for nature’s art, but they are playful and fun – reflecting the energy that the luxury brand seeks to inject into the world of day-to-night jewellery.
Beyond that, it’s important to recognise the influence that artistic movements have on the ever-changing Van Cleef & Arpels collections and designs, with the brand picking up on artistic movements and interpreting them in unique ways. Whether it’s an innovative use of shapes and lines, or the integration of movement inspired by the trends of different decades, Van Cleef & Arpels continues to draw on tangible inspiration from lifestyle creations and ideologies and uses those ideas to create fun and vibrant pieces of jewellery.
One of the most interesting things you will note as you look for the influence of art across the Van Cleef & Arpels collection is the continued emphasis on creating playful pieces that can be worn in all situations – playing with perception and injecting elegance into the everyday.
Notable Designs and Collections That Reflect Art
In order to understand the presence and influence of art in the Van Cleef & Arpels collection, it’s important to consider the definition of art as both a natural phenomenon and as a part of everyday life. Perhaps one of the most famous Van Cleef & Arpels pieces to be created is the zip necklace, worn by Margot Robbie, which not only looks like a zip but functions as one too. This incredibly ornate example of tangible and practical jewellery speaks to the concept of modern art, turning something everyday into something spectacular.
The Alhambra collection of jewellery is another that we cannot ignore when examining the relationship between VCA designs and art, as the entire collection is made from a simple but impactful motif. Using different colours and gemstones to produce unique and aesthetically pleasing pieces for all occasions, the Alhambra collection is recognised today as art in its own right – joining the other pieces inspired by nature to form a part of VCA’s Art of Movement collection.
The Best VCA Pieces to Invest In
If investing in a piece of Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery is on your radar, then it’s important to recognise the value of the individual elements, as well as the piece as a whole. From the variety of gemstones to the different materials used to bring each piece to life, Van Cleef & Arpels is a brand that favours quality materials and craftsmanship, as well as the value of design.
You need only look at the Mystery Setting collection to see how important design is, with the invisible fixing for the collection’s iconic gemstones turning these limited-edition pieces into works of art all of their own.
For more on investing in – or selling – Van Cleef & Arpels original pieces, get in touch with your local reputable reseller.
