Cover Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels boutique (Photo: Van Cleef & Arpels)
Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels boutique (Photo: Van Cleef & Arpels)
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Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels is a uniquely immersive experience designed for jewellery enthusiasts, nestled within the luxurious confines of the Raffles Hotel Singapore
A tranquil haven located in the opulent surroundings of the Raffles Hotel Singapore, Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels is a project four years in the making. A boutique at first glance, the warm interior designed by French interior architect Jean Baptiste Auvray invites visitors to browse through some of Van Cleef & Arpels’ most emblematic collections, including Alhambra and Perlée creations.
Hidden behind a secret door, the high jewellery maison invites visitors into “The Secret Garden”—an exhibition space dedicated to education and enchantment. On display is a curation of patrimonial pieces, archival documents, and rare acquisitions from private collectors for visitors to acquaint themselves with the rich universe of Van Cleef & Arpels, defined by remarkable creativity and innovation.
Read more: Van Cleef & Arpels’s lucky charms will get you through the year
Above Daisy clip, 1964. Platinum, yellow gold, rubies, diamonds,
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
Daisy clip, 1964. Platinum, yellow gold, rubies, diamonds, Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
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Nicolas Luchsinger, president of Van Cleef & Arpels Asia-Pacific, emphasises, “Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels stands as an embodiment to our unwavering dedication to the art of beauty, culture, and savoir-faire at the very heart of our profession. As a high jewellery maison with more than 110 years of virtuoso craftsmanship, we want to continue to inspire our audiences with poetic collections and stories. We have thoroughly curated an exclusive space that harmoniously marries Van Cleef & Arpels’ rich heritage with the enchantment of the Garden City.”
Hugues de Pins, managing director of Van Cleef & Arpels, South East Asia and Oceania, clarifies the boutique’s permanent nature, highlighting its purpose as a sanctuary for enlightenment and exploration rather than a retail space. “We aimed to create a distinctive space where we could welcome not only our loyal clients but also the broader public from Singapore and around the world to the national monument that is Raffles Hotel Singapore to explore our creations in a setting different from the traditional boutique experience.”
Don’t miss: How Van Cleef & Arpels’ Mystery Set technique has evolved since 1933
Above Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels boutique entrance
Above Precious Nature by Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition
Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels boutique entrance
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‘Precious Nature by Van Cleef & Arpels’
The inaugural exhibition, Precious Nature by Van Cleef & Arpels, showcases 15 exceptional treasures celebrating the maison’s profound connection to nature. Among the highlights of this exhibition is the maison’s debut floral masterpiece, the Daisy Clip, crafted in 1964 with Mystery Set rubies. Also showcased are a series of “precious objects” adorned with daisy motifs, such as a powder case and matching lighter, alongside meticulously crafted wood and gold accessories.
The significance of the Mystery Set technique, a hallmark of Van Cleef & Arpels’ craftsmanship, takes the spotlight in this exhibition. Since its development in 1933, the technique has inspired generations of jewellers as it sets precious stones or diamonds on rails to achieve a radiant surface of interlocked stones devoid of visible metal or prongs.
According to Hugues de Pins, “The technique offers an inimitable expression of precious stones, with results that provoke incredible feelings when you look at a Mystery Set creation. The purity and beauty of the gems are seemingly magnified.” He further notes that it is exceptionally rare to encounter such an extensive display of Mystery Set pieces in one location.
See also: How one diamond produced an entire Van Cleef & Arpels’ high jewellery collection
Balinese dancer clip, 1969. Yellow gold, white gold, rubies, white pearls, diamonds, Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
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The exhibition aims to educate visitors on the art of high jewellery collecting, emphasising inclusivity and accessibility. The venture underlines the maison’s commitment to sharing its creations with the public, inviting all jewellery lovers to explore The Secret Garden and discover the splendour of Van Cleef & Arpels' enchanting creations.
The exhibition opens on Monday to Sunday to the public from February 1 to June 16, 2024, from 11am-8pm, with the last admissions at 7pm. Visitors will need to register through the Precious Nature by Van Cleef & Arpels portal to enjoy free admission to the exhibition area.
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Images: Van Cleef & Arpels
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