Van Cleef & Arpels has been at the forefront of jewellery design and watchmaking for over 126 years and now the Maison is passing its legacy on to emerging designers.
Heritage French jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels is known the globe-over for its rich history and impeccable craftsmanship. With a legacy spanning over 126 years, the Maison is now supporting emerging jewellery designers to learn from the very best. In collaboration with Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), Van Cleef & Arpels launched a Dhs50,000 grant to champion young jewellery designers from the region. The award was bestowed on two talented Emirati creatives, Asma Almarri and Media Alfalasi.
As part of the grant, the pair travelled to Paris for five days where they were educated in the very best techniques of jewellery creation and watchmaking at the exclusive L’ECOLE Van Cleef & Arpels. The emerging designers share with Emirates Woman what it was like to learn from the very best in the jewellery space, how they believe jewellery tells a story and their inspiration for their creative process.
Asma Almarri
Asma wears Vintage Alhambra long necklace, 20 motifs, yellow gold, white mother-of-pearl; Perlée watch, Yellow gold case, guilloché white Mother-of-pearl dial, Swiss quartz movement; Perlée diamonds bracelet, 1 row, yellow gold, round diamonds; Perlée signature bracelet, yellow gold; Perlée pearls of gold bracelet, yellow gold; Perlée diamonds ring, 1 row, yellow gold, round diamonds; Perlée clovers ring, yellow gold, round diamonds; all Van Cleef & Arpels.
What are your main passions in life?
My passion in life is to feel content with my health and to inspire.
To you, how does jewellery tell a story?
The intense emotions behind the inspiration of jewellery tell a story that reflects on the design outcome and the feel the jewellery stimulates when it’s worn.
How does it feel to be learning some of the best jewellery techniques in the world at the exclusive L’ECOLE Van Cleef & Arpels?
I am grateful to have had an opportunity to learn the best jewellery techniques exclusively at L’ECOLE Van Cleef & Arpels. It has been an insightful experience.
When designing jewellery what inspires you?
In my jewellery design, I feel inspired by my own experiences and what resonates with my emotions.
What are your favourite pieces from the Van Cleef & Arpels’ Frivole & Perlee novelties and why?
My favourite piece from the Van Cleef & Arpels’ Frivole & Perlee novelties is the “Frivole necklace, 9 flowers,” especially the one with diamonds, because of the petal’s soft silhouette design and the feeling of delicacy on my neck.
How would you describe the Van Cleef & Arpels woman?
The women of Van Cleef & Arpels are honourable and majestic, and I hope to inspire passion in one’s life through transcendental experiences in my designs.
Media AlFalasi
Media wears Perlée diamonds pendant, rose gold, round diamonds; Perlée couleurs pendant, rose gold, carnelian; Perlée Toi & Moi secret watch, rose gold case and bezel, round diamonds, white mother-of-pearl dial, rose gold bracelet, carnelian, black pietersite, Swiss quartz movement; Perlée couleurs ring, 5 rows, rose gold, round rubies; all Van Cleef & Arpels.
What are your main passions in life?
I am passionate about everything related to fashion design, sketching and embroidery. I love my Bedouin heritage and the UAE’s culture. It impacts my design style. I of- ten try to incorporate those aesthetics when creating new designs by looking at pictures of the old UAE or visiting some sites in the desert. I love reading memoirs and history. I think such genres can teach us compassion and tolerance by allowing us to perceive perspectives other than our own. That is why I love my Bedouin heritage, which is rich in history and storytelling.
To you, how does jewellery tell a story?
If you really think about it, storytelling is immensely parallel with creating, giving, and presenting jewellery. When you craft a new jewellery design, you need some type of inspiration to guide your design. This inspiration comes from your own life experiences and journeys. Even simply giving jewellery to a loved one can tell different stories. Jewellery has always been a way to express different emotions.
How does it feel to be learning some of the best jewellery techniques in the world at the exclusive L’ECOLE Van Cleef & Arpels?
It’s an honour and privilege to come this close to the craftsmanship of jewellery and presentation. I have been recently going through a creative block and observing the long process of different pieces that Van Cleef & Arpels crafts have ignited back my creativity and enlightened me with new ways to design better. You don’t see much Middle Eastern representation within the design industry in Europe, but Van Cleef & Arpels made me feel represented and included. This type of connection with a Western company made me build a connection with Van Cleef & Arpels.
When designing jewellery what inspires you?
My biggest inspiration in designing jewellery is personality. What people choose to wear as jewellery and how they wear it can say a lot about their character, traits, experiences, and passions. I like to observe different people in the street or on occasions and get inspired by how they carry themselves, wearing vari- ous pieces. I think Van Cleef & Arpels has one of the most expressive pieces of jewellery I see today in the market. They really know how to show personality and emotions within their craftsmanship. For example, their Zodiaque Collection celebrates and mimics the constellations and zodiac signs.
What are your favourite pieces from the Van Cleef & Arpels’ Frivole & Perlee novelties and why?
My favourite collection from Van Cleef & Arpels is their Perlee jewellery collection. Not only because I love gold in jewellery but also the modern, slick twist that the collection displayed. Van Cleef & Arpels has nailed it with this collection because it was made to show different personalities with the creative freedom of mixing and matching.
How would you describe the Van Cleef & Arpels woman?
If I can describe a Van Cleef & Arpels woman in one word, it would be unique. She is always a woman who is different, so she shines in a different light than other women. Individualism is very considered in this collection, and it’s crucial to have it in the jewellery industry. Only a woman with a distinct taste in jewellery would represent a Van Cleef & Arpels woman.
Creative Direction: Daniel Robinson; Photographer: Mark Mathew; Makeup: Ania Poniatowska at MMG Artists All jewellery: Van Cleef & Arpels; All abayas: Kamin
November’s – The Collectors Issue – Download Now
– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Supplied, Photography by Mark Mathew
