Cover The Precious Nature by Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition at Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels at Raffles Singapore
The Precious Nature by Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition at Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels at Raffles Singapore
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To uncover Van Cleef & Arpels’s latest secrets, venture into the jeweller’s newly opened space at Raffles Singapore, where a unique experience awaits behind a hidden door
Within the lush, idyllic grounds of the iconic Raffles Singapore, a hidden treasure trove waits to be discovered. Since January this year, French jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels has taken over an inconspicuous corner of the luxury hotel’s shopping arcade, where it has established a brand‑new boutique and exhibition concept called Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels.
The main entrance leads into a space that appears to be nothing out of the ordinary—an intimate boutique offering the signature collections of Van Cleef & Arpels. However, a secret door that at first glance looks like a wall panel opens into a one‑of‑a‑kind exhibition space dressed in soft neutral‑and‑gold flora‑themed scenography by French designer and interior architect Jean Baptiste Auvray.
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Above The boutique area of Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels
The boutique area of Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels
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The choice of flowers and nature as inspiration for the exhibition space draws from Singapore’s vision of a garden city, which it is known as around the world, for the abundant greenery integrated into a clean environment. This makes Les Jardins Secrets unique and a global first for the Maison. The discreet exhibition space is intended both for visitors to journey across the Maison’s creative history through a showcase of its patrimonial pieces, and for the house to share its core values of creation transmission and education, through events and exhibitions such as those by L’Ecole, School of Jewelry Arts, which is supported by Van Cleef & Arpels.
“In terms of distribution in Singapore, we’ve been happily present in the malls for some years, which is a nice way to welcome visitors, introduce the brand and drive traffic,” says Nicolas Bos, president and chief executive officer of Van Cleef & Arpels. “We do have some more private areas in these boutiques, but overall, it’s still very much commercial.”
Above The Van Cleef & Arpels Daisy powder case from 1948, in platinum and yellow gold set with diamonds
The Van Cleef & Arpels Daisy powder case from 1948, in platinum and yellow gold set with diamonds
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He adds that while the Maison organises special events such as high jewellery presentations in Singapore, it was still missing something more permanent and intimate. “We wanted a space that was less busy and to create a less commercial experience; somewhere we could present the patrimony of the house [and] small exhibitions, organise lectures with some experts from L’Ecole, School of Jewelry Arts, or host an intimate dinner,” he says.
The exhibition space in Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels was thus born. “[It’s] very secret by nature, even from the small main entrance, so we’ve managed to create multiple elements of surprise, without being overwhelming or trying to express the power of the brand, because that’s not what we do. It’s more of a discovery path, where you don’t know what you’re going to find behind that first door and especially behind the second door. So it’s more about creating an intimate, enjoyable moment,” says Bos. “In Singapore and around the region, we have a lot of clients, collectors, friends, experts and other people we interact with that we want to host in this more specific manner. That’s really the goal of this project.”
Above The brand’s Everest necklace from 1981, in platinum and yellow gold Mystery Set with sapphires and diamonds
The brand’s Everest necklace from 1981, in platinum and yellow gold Mystery Set with sapphires and diamonds
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As to whether Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels will make its way to other markets, Bos is certain that if it does, it will not be an exact replication. “We don’t really want to take a systematic approach. Of course, we remain consistent in the identity of the Maison and the stories we want to tell, but it’s also very cultural; it depends on the local context, the local traditions and our own history in a certain city,” he explains. “So it doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re going to create a space like that somewhere else. We might take the same spirit and translate that into a different experience.”
Above The brand’s Balinese dancer clip from 1969, in yellow and white gold set with rubies, pearls and diamonds
The brand’s Balinese dancer clip from 1969, in yellow and white gold set with rubies, pearls and diamonds
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Currently, visitors to Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels can discover the Precious Nature by Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition, which officially opened to the public on February 1 and will be open daily until June 16. It is a fitting debut exhibition for the space, given the design of the interiors as well as the fact that nature has been a main source of inspiration for the Maison since its beginnings.
The intimate showcase features 15 creations from the brand’s patrimonial collection, alongside seven loaned pieces from private collectors as well as archival documents. Nearly half of the jewellery on display are Mystery Set pieces, which are made using the Maison’s proprietary technique of mounting precious stones in a way that eschews the visible prongs of traditional stone‑setting, allowing the gems to take centre stage.
Above Van Cleef & Arpels’s Two Flowers brooch from 1937, in platinum and yellow gold set with rubies and diamonds
Above The brand’s Rose de Noël clip from 1999, in yellow gold and wood set with diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels’s Two Flowers brooch from 1937, in platinum and yellow gold set with rubies and diamonds
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Some highlights include the 1937 Two Flowers brooch from the patrimony collection, made in platinum and yellow gold, and Mystery Set with rubies and diamonds. There are also pieces from the Rose de Noël collection, centred on Christmas roses, that are made from wood.
Jewellery aside, this exhibition is a rare chance to see some of the Maison’s unique and precious objects from the 1940s, including the Daisy powder case and lighter, both made in platinum and yellow gold and decorated with diamonds.
Credits
Images: Van Cleef & Arpels
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Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
