ARCHIVE
"Precious Nature by
Van Cleef & Arpels" exhibition
From 1 February 2024 to 16 June 2024
Raffles Arcade, Singapore
"Precious Nature by
Van Cleef & Arpels" exhibition
Les Jardins Secrets, Raffles Hotel
The Maison further expands its universe of beauty and craftsmanship by unveiling a new boutique and a unique exhibition area in the Raffles Hotel, Singapore.
Visitors can appreciate Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels, a sanctuary distinguished by an exclusive scenography meticulously crafted by renowned French interior architect Jean-Baptiste Auvray.
The name of this exhibition space is inspired by Singapore's reputation as "Asia's garden city", where lush greenery is harmoniously blended with the urban landscape. The boutique also reflects this inspiration through an exclusive scenography filled with floral and nature-inspired graphics.
Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels brings the "enchanted forest" to the Raffles Hotel. Opened in 1887, it is one of the country's heritage icons and the epitome of elegance. Its fascinating history continue to captivate travelers from all over the world.
"Les Jardins Secrets by Van Cleef & Arpels stands as an embodiment to our unwavering dedication to the art of beauty, culture and savoir-faire at the very heart of our profession."
The exhibition area: an immersive space to appreciate the Maison’s heritage
Timeless collections, such as the iconic Alhambra and Perlée creations, are on display in the boutique, allowing visitors to discover the charming universe of Van Cleef & Arpels. Then, they can enter a world of enchantment through a "secret" door from the boutique to a different area, to explore the Maison’s patrimonial pieces and L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts events. This place, which is an integral part of the boutique, is designed to regularly host curated themed exhibitions showcasing the wonders of the patrimony of Van Cleef & Arpels. Through them, the Maison affirms its fundamental values of creation, transmission and education in the artistic spirit, and fosters appreciation of savoir-faire and innovation.
"Precious Nature by Van Cleef & Arpels" exhibition
Nature is one of the Maison’s sources of inspiration, imbuing creations with vitality and poetic grace. Whether capturing the metamorphosis of the seasons, the ephemeral delicacy of a blooming flower, or the shivering of a leaf in the breeze, the pieces express a taste for color and energy. This exhibition invites visitors on a stroll through Van Cleef & Arpels’ garden, where daisies bloom in engraved gold, as on this original Minaudiere drawing and on the Daisy powder case.
"Precious Nature by Van Cleef & Arpels" offers a selection of creations from the Maison's heritage collection as well as exceptional loans from private collectors. The exhibition reveals delicate combinations of stones and gold, or Christmas roses sculpted in wood.
Pursuing a constant quest for movement, Van Cleef & Arpels has developed intricate techniques such as the Mystery Set™. This innovation, which was patented in 1933, introduced a new way of setting precious stones that was designed to preserve their beauty. Its secret lies in its gold rails, into which precious gems—purposefully and meticulously cut—are individually inserted. This allows the stones to cover the entire structure, hiding the underlying metal, and intensifying the velvety color effect. This savoir-faire has given rise to a variety of pieces, some of them on display at Les Jardins Secrets, including the Everest necklace and the Little poppy clip.
The exhibition "Precious Nature by Van Cleef & Arpels" immerses visitors in a magical natural world, where they can enjoy the savoir-faire and historical creations of the Maison.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Location
Opening hours
From February 1st, to June 16th, 2024
Monday - Sunday
From 11:00am to 8:00pm
(Last entry at 7:00pm)