The creative process is inextricably linked to time in its myriad facets. In addition to the time dedicated to producing them, Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry and precious objects are rooted in a specific age, a context that weaves subtle connections between Paris and the world, past and future, jewelry and other disciplines. In the center of this complex environment, the Maison has succeeded in building a distinctive and coherent style in constant evolution and a legacy of chemistry between creativity, innovation and timeless elegance.

A time-honored source of inspiration for both art and jewelry, nature has endowed the Maison with an inexhaustible formal repertoire. Throughout its history, plants, flowers and animals have engendered an abundance of colors, patterns and materials, from precious gems to hard stones and organic materials. 

It is Love that gave birth to the High Jewelry Maison, founded in 1906 following the wedding of Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels in Paris. Some 30 pieces – clips, rings, bracelets, objects and more – together with sketches and archival documents illustrate the full symbolic power of precious gifts, as well as the bonds forged by Van Cleef & Arpels with certain legendary couples who left their mark on the 20th century.

Designed by American designer Johanna Grawunder and Polish graphic designer Michal Batory, the scenography of the exhibition showcases the Maison's creations with an interplay of transparency, light and color. Local inspiration also imbues decorations, like calligraphy or the use of saturated colors, recalling the ancient Chinese architecture.