Join us as we explore the maison's bejewelled history and their quest for timeless beauty
A stone’s throw away from Jardin des Tuileries, Van Cleef & Arpels’s first boutique stands as a timeless emblem of luxury and elegance at this iconic Parisian address—22 Place Vendôme. Born from a love story between Estelle Arpels, the daughter of a dealer in precious stones and Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a lapidary and diamond broker, it could be said that the maison was destined for the journey of exceptional beauty, fine craftsmanship and the wondrous romance that followed.
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Elegance in Innovation
To this day, Van Cleef & Arpels is known for their poetic blend of pioneering designs, time-perfected techniques and understated elegance. However, it was in the 1930s when Van Cleef & Arpels began building its repertoire of elegant innovations under the helm of the founding couple’s visionary daughter, Renée Puissant as creative director.
In this era of renaissance, the maison presented to the world their Mystery Set. Ingenious and inspiring, this technique set precious stones in a way that concealed any prongs underneath and has been at the heart of Van Cleef & Arpels’s signature pieces, whether it is rubies on the curling petal of a chrysanthemum or sapphires framing a sleek, modern timepiece. Since then, the maison’s reputation as masters of the craft was cemented in history.
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