A History of the Van Cleef Brand
In the history of the Van Cleef brand, you’ll find dazzling jewels, from the first brick-link mesh Ludo bracelet to the dual snake-chain bracelet. There are also pieces that are versatile enough to be worn as a choker or long necklace. And if you love a bold color, the Passe-Partout necklace is the perfect accessory. With a little work, you can transform it into a head-turning accessory!
Jacques Arpels’ obsession with four-leaf clovers
In the 1960s, Jacques Arpels made a fascination with four-leaf clovers and their symbolism. The jewelry brand has been creating four-leaf clovers ever since and its famous Alhambra collection dates back to 1968. Originally, the Alhambra collection evoked the decoration of the Alhambra fortress in Granada and is known as a symbol of good luck and long-lasting prosperity. This collection is not just made of clovers but also of a variety of other gemstones and hard stones, such as sapphires, diamonds, and opals.
The designer also collected four-leaf clovers and attached them to employees. In addition to a four-leaf clover, he used to attach a poem about the power of luck to his employees. One such poem is “Don’t Quit,” by John Greenleaf Whittier. In his own words, “To be lucky, you have to believe in luck.”
Jacques Arpels was the nephew of the founder of the company, Estelle Arpels. The designer, who believed in serendipity, often collected four-leaf clovers from his garden and gave them to staff. The Alhambra collection, which was born in 1968, featured the clover motif in a beaded design. It has since become a classic fashion statement.
Jacques Arpels’ fascination with four-leaf clovers started when he was a young man, as his uncle, often gave his staff four-leaf clovers as encouragement. Ultimately, Jacques Arpels decided that the four-leaf clovers would become the Maison’s lucky emblem, and he did not disappoint. Jacques Arpels’ fascination with four-leaf clovers is evident in the brand’s creation of its iconic Alhambra collection.
Alfred Van Cleef
In 1906, a young man named Alfred Van Cleef married his future wife, Estelle Arpels, a daughter of a diamond cutter. The couple opened a jewelry store in Paris, and a few years later, they were joined by Estelle’s brother Louis Arpels. In 1912, the couple opened a second store in Nice. A decade later, they opened their third store.
The next step in the brand history was the creation of the ‘Alhambra’ collection, which was inspired by the Moorish architecture. The alhambra collection features delicately set stones and is decorated with the iconic quatre-foil pattern. Today, the Alhambra collection is available in a variety of styles, and features mother of pearl, malachite, coral, carnelian, diamond, and pearl pieces. These designs are now core Van Cleef & Arpels DNA, incorporating an eclectic mix of styles.
The first shop opened in 1906, near the Ritz Hotel in Paris. The location was an ideal location for the company, as the area was a hub for high-class Europeans and aristocrats. Within 20 years, the brand expanded to China and Japan. It was one of the first French jewellery brands to expand abroad. And since the company has remained so popular for over a century, it continues to expand worldwide.
A brief background on the brand is necessary to understand its rich history. The company’s founders, Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels, were close friends. They both shared the same values and vision. Since that time, the company has been renowned for its use of precious stones in its creations. Its heirloom pieces have been worn by royalty for decades. Despite this, Alfred Van Cleef continues to employ an extensive array of precious stones in its creations.
Renee Puissant
The Zip necklace is a classic example of the brand’s innovative approach to design. The first Zip necklace was unveiled to the public in 1950, but it took more than a decade to perfect it. It was inspired by the simple zip fastener, which was a design idea first suggested by the Duchess of Windsor. Puissant took the design idea and created a necklace that could be worn as a bracelet or a necklace.
The dazzling array of designs, time-perfected techniques, and understated elegance make Van Cleef & Arpels an iconic luxury brand. The company’s history begins in the late 19th century, when Alfred Van Cleef and Salomon Arpels founded the brand. They married in 1895, and a few years later, Alfred and Estelle married. In 1913, their children, Julien and Louis, joined the brand. In addition to Puissant, Renee Sim Lacaze and Renee Van Cleef, their own designs have earned the brand a reputation for being surprisingly bold.
In 1926, Puissant took over the artistic direction of the brand and worked with Rene-Sim Lacaze for 12 years. During this time, the Maison patented the Minaudiere purse, a compact purse that can hold a woman’s essentials for the evening. In 1935, the Duchess of Windsor asked Puissant to design a piece based on the zipper.
The history of Van Cleef & Arpels started in 1906 with a small boutique on Place Vendome. In 1909, Alfred married Estelle Arpels, a daughter of a precious stone dealer. The brand’s success continued as the company expanded into a large business, and new branches were established in Paris, Cannes, and London. Puissant paved the way for the distinctive style and classic design heritage of the Arpels brand.
Rene-Sim Lacaze
A history of the Van Cleef brand begins with its founder, Rene-Sim Lacaze. Born in 1908, Lacaze studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and eventually became the Maison’s artistic director after 1926. Rene-Sim Lacaze was a talented artist who joined the brand in 1922. He helped to establish the Maison’s distinctive style and left his mark on its history.
This is a rich and interesting history of the brand. In addition to the rich history of the brand, it features a long list of achievements. Today, the Van Cleef & Arpels brand is a symbol of unmatched craftsmanship and technological expertise. The brand continues to strive for excellence by paying attention to every detail. The museum also includes documents and drawings from the company’s former Place Vendome location.
Rene-Sim Lacaze is an artist and author whose work is a history of the Van Cleef brand. He has created several pieces for the brand. His work is stunning and carries the names of prominent personalities. Lacaze is one of the most important names in the brand, and the designer is an authority on the history of this prestigious brand.
After Alfred Van Cleef’s death in 1926, his daughter Renee took over the artistic direction of the company. Together, the two created the minaudiere, a small clutch made for carrying a few essential items. Known for its patented Mystery Set technique, this piece of jewelry was the first of its kind. It used prongless setting to enhance the stone’s shine.
Grace Kelly
Prince Rainier III of Monaco bought Princess Grace Kelly a pearl and diamond suite from Van Cleef & Arpels when the actress became Princess Consort of the Principality of Monaco in 1956. This pearl and diamond suite was designed in the style of the 1950s and was named after the newly married couple. The couple’s marriage became the most famous of its kind. Grace Kelly was a renowned actress and beauty who was born into an Irish Catholic family. She attended a private school and convent, and eventually attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
During her honeymoon in Spain, Princess Grace wore the pearls from Van Cleef & Arpels. She often wore the pearls during official portraits, including those of her new children. She wore them frequently throughout her life and was photographed wearing them in portraits during the Silver Wedding Anniversary of the Prince and Princess. Today, Princess Grace wears the same style of pearls she wore during her lifetime.
Princess Caroline was a fan of the Alhambra design. This opera-length necklace was the first to be designed with 20 clover-shaped motifs. It was popular among celebrities during the 1970s. Grace Kelly was a devotee of the company, and her collection includes a variety of their jewelry. She sometimes wore more than one Alhambra necklace at a time, including two or three pieces at a time. She also wore the Alhambra pendant to complete her look.
In addition to Grace Kelly, many other celebrities have wore the designs of Van Cleef & Arpels. From the queen of Spain to Queen Elizabeth II of England, the pieces worn by these ladies are stunning and elegant. They have become a symbol of royalty and success in their chosen careers. Among other famous people who have worn these jewelry pieces are Elizabeth Taylor and Jacqueline Kennedy. These women exemplify the timeless elegance of Van Cleef & Arpels jewels.