Couture inspiration: inventiveness in the service of elegance
The world of couture permeates the universe of Van Cleef & Arpels as a tribute to its city of origin, Paris. Throughout the decades, gold lace, bows, and sparkling trimmings evoke this epicenter of elegance. This influence has given rise to some of the Maison's most iconic technical innovations, such as the Zip necklace.
Zip necklace, 1955
Convertible into a bracelet
Yellow gold, platinum, emeralds, diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
First created in 1950, this piece embodies the spirit of innovation that has driven the Maison since its beginnings. Inspired by a zip fastener, the necklace transforms into a bracelet.
Zip Antique Udaipur necklace, transformable into a bracelet, 18K white gold, emeralds, diamonds
Another major creation by Van Cleef & Arpels, the Ludo bracelet, which evokes a belt buckle, was introduced in 1934. It is characterized by a brick or hexagonal link-chain that gracefully embraces the wrist, punctuated by a motif set with gemstones. These emblematic creations are complemented by diamond ribbons, tie necklaces, and gold mesh clips, which have enriched the Maison's jewelry repertoire over the years.
Ludo bracelet, 1937
Yellow gold, sapphire, diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
Ribbon brooch, 1937
Platinum, diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
Bracelet, 1937
Platinum, rubies, diamonds
Former collection of the actress and singer Marlene Dietrich
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
Lace Bow clip, 1949
Platinum, yellow gold, diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
Necklace, 1986
Yellow gold, diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection
Nowadays, this theme continues to inspire the Maison's creativity. Van Cleef & Arpels dedicated the Couture High Jewelry collection (2004) to this creative universe. It also inspires the Flowerlace aesthetic, expressed through both High Jewelry and Jewelry creations, which combines the grace of flowers with the suppleness of a ribbon. This source of inspiration also imbues timeless elegance into the Boucle and Couture solitaires and the Ruban Secret and Ludo Secret watches.
