50 Years Of Alhambra by Van Cleef & Arpels
Inspired by the shape of a four-leafed clover, Van Cleef & Arpels created the first Alhambra sautoir in 1968, a jewel now known worldwide which is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary
From September 24th 2018 to January 5th 2019 Van Cleef & Arpels, the famous Parisian jewelry company, dedicates an exhibition to its Alhambra chain at the heart of its shop located at 20 place Vendôme for its 50th anniversary. A wonderful journey around the iconic four-leafed clover, a symbol of elegance and femininity since 1968 and a distinctive sign of the Maison’s unmistakable and timeless style.
Vast imagery reminiscent of faraway places and bewitching colors. Yellow gold, malachite, lapis lazuli, onyx, coral, tiger’s eye, turquoise, white and grey mother-of-pearl, cornelian, diamonds, blue agate, rock crystal are the materials that over the years have embellished the Alhambra sautoir. A splendid creation that perfectly match with the elegance of the women who have worn this jewelry through the years, among them: Françoise Hardy, a French singer from the Seventies, Romy Schneider, the exceptional actress and Princess Grace of Monaco.
While the Company name is synonymous of quality and elegance, the Alhambra collection stands out for its incredible ability to call to mind pleasant images, colors and the fragrances of nature. Like the memory of a pleasant stroll in the garden at the Arpels home where Jaques, Estelle Arprels’ grandson, picked and offered fresh clover to some of his collaborators together with the English poem “Don’t Quit”. An encouraging invitation to never ever lose hope.
While the Company name is synonymous of quality and elegance, the Alhambra collection stands out for its incredible ability to call to mind pleasant images, colors and the fragrances of nature. Like the memory of a pleasant stroll in the garden at the Arpels home where Jaques, Estelle Arprels’ grandson, picked and offered fresh clover to some of his collaborators together with the English poem “Don’t Quit”. An encouraging invitation to never ever lose hope.
