As one of the more luxurious and globally recognised jewellery brands on the market, Van Cleef & Arpels is no stranger to the tricks of the trade – particularly when it comes to retaining its high value, both on the retail and the second-hand market. With each original and authentic Van Cleef & Arpels item of jewellery securing high interest among both the style conscious and investment buyers, it seems as if demand is never met by supply – and that the unique and innovative designs and collections only serve to heighten consumer demand year on year.
But it’s not all the work of the brand designers themselves – a great deal of Van Cleef & Arpels’ popularity comes from where the jewellery is seen, and who is seen wearing it. Celebrity ambassadors, industry-leading endorsements, and high-status connections have long played a major role in stabilising the popularity of the world’s most famous and successful brands. And Van Cleef & Arpels is no different.
Here are a few examples of how the red carpet – and a direct link with the glamorous world of celebrity – has helped Van Cleef & Arpels to become a staple brand among both the style conscious and those seeking a great investment.
A Short History of Van Cleef & Arpels
Founded in 1896, Van Cleef & Arpels is the product of two innovators coming together to create a brand that centres on the beauty of precious gemstones, and that heralds the spirit of innovation as part and parcel of the brand’s core reputation.
With the first boutique opening in Paris and remaining the central point of the brand even today, it is fair to say that Van Cleef & Arpels was a brand destined for luxury and glamour from day one – but with one key difference. Many pieces produced by the brand evoke warm emotions, use recognisable motifs, and connect precious stones and metals with natural influences.
How Did Van Cleef & Arpels Become a Red-Carpet Staple?
From its early days, Van Cleef & Arpels was a brand connected with great influence – due in part to the fact that its two founding partners were both influential names in the diamond and precious stones market.
In the 1930s, the brand was tasked with producing a crown for Egyptian royalty, and later in the 1960s, was commissioned to create the coronation crown for the Queen and Empress of Iran. In the decades that followed, Van Cleef & Arpels secured its position as a brand that spanned royalty and popular fiction: it was mentioned in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds are Forever, and became a statement brand worn on the red carpet and by celebrities out and about.
Known Celebrity Ambassadors and Fans of the Van Cleef & Arpels Brand
One of the most notable things about the Van Cleef & Arpels brand is that its innovative statement designs are fused with the collections that bring effortless style into everyday life. Despite having produced a series of notable and unique pieces that have made headlines, Van Cleef & Arpels is just as well known for its everyday collections and its more accessible designs – including the Alhambra collection, among others.
Thus, the celebrity ambassadors and red-carpet appearances that connect Van Cleef & Arpels with the rich and the famous are just as likely to be seen out and about in a one-off commission as they are to be seen in something subtle with a touch of colour and glamour.
One of the first instances that sticks in the minds of most Van Cleef & Arpels fans is the famous zip necklace, which was worn on the red carpet by Margot Robbie and remains one of the brand’s most famous outings. Though hardly considered one of the brand’s accessible looks, this necklace is a perfect example of how Van Cleef & Arpels collects influence and inspiration from so many different places – with gold, a vibrant royal blue, and crystal-cut sapphires all lining the zip-shaped piece.
Viola Davis is another actor who has been seen on the red carpet in Van Cleef & Arpels pieces, always adding colour to her look through her choice of precious gemstones.
And, of course, we can’t talk about Van Cleef & Arpels without exploring its long-running and sustained connection with royalty – from Princess Grace of Monaco (Grace Kelly), who wore the original Alhambra brand back in the 1960s, to the Princess of Wales (Kate Middleton), who paired her simple red-carpet style with a statement Alhambra necklace at the BAFTAs in 2020.
The Role of Glamour in Elevating the Brand’s Status
As all of these instances prove, Van Cleef & Arpels is a brand that brings infinite glamour to everyday style, with both standout and subtle pieces that are designed to add colour, juxtaposing shapes, and vibrance to individual looks.
The practical benefit of these red-carpet outings is that they shroud the brand in a coveted and sought-after status – both among the rich and famous, and among everyday buyers and investors. A piece worn by the Princess of Wales is sure to become a high-street sellout, while the headlines produced by something as vibrant as Margot Robbie’s necklace create a bubble of glamour, which only elevates the brand’s popularity.
Is a Van Cleef & Arpels Piece of Jewellery a Good Investment?
If you’re seeking a piece of jewellery with a timeless aesthetic, connecting colour and vibrance with exceptional quality and craftsmanship, then you can do no better than Van Cleef & Arpels. Whether you opt for something from the classic Alhambra collection or explore the brand’s infinite weird and wonderful alternative styles, the glamour that surrounds Van Cleef & Arpels makes it a brand that will never fall out of favour with buyers.
To find your perfect piece, head to your local reseller, who will be able to combine access to the best pieces with formal authentication and guaranteed protection of your investment.