A New Day Has Come: Van Cleef & Arpels introduces new Alhambra jewellery
In tracing the rich history of Van Cleef & Arpels, one name, in particular, has never fallen out of fashion: the Alhambra. And while it is true that the success it has enjoyed thus far is largely attributed to the Maison's savoir-faire and artistic intelligence, it’s also safe to say that Van Cleef & Arpels lucked out with this one.
After all, that’s what Alhambra is all about—luck.
Jacques Arpels, the nephew of brand co-founder Estelle Arpels, used to say that one has to believe in luck to be lucky. But seeing is believing, and believing in something as elusive as luck proved to be too hard a concept to grasp for some.
To remedy that, the designer had even once collected clovers in his garden and handed them out to his colleagues, along with a copy of John Greenleaf Whittier’s Don’t Quit, to inspire hope and optimism. Little did they know those clovers would soon change the course of the house’s trajectory as Jacques Arpels began adopting the silhouette of a four-leaf clover, a definitive icon of good luck, for his maiden Alhambra creation in 1968.
Debuting as a sautoir necklace comprising 20 of the symbolic motifs in creased yellow gold, the Alhambra has over the years blossomed into a multifaceted character especially with its unconventional gemstone accoutrements.
The legacy of the Alhambra is carried on today with the Magic Alhambra necklaces in variations of white gold with chalcedony, yellow gold with blue agate, rose gold with grey mother-of-pearl, and guilloché yellow gold.
Rounding up the new batch are the Vintage Alhambra ring in guilloché yellow gold and the Sweet Alhambra watch in guilloché rose gold with pink mother-of-pearl — appearing for the first time in the collection. In true Van Cleef & Arpels form, the mother-of-pearl and hard stone motifs here are intricately cut and polished, and just like the predecessors that came before them, they are delicately fringed with polished golden beads.
These golden contours have been carefully reworked by hand by master jewellers before the prongs—rounded for a softer feel—are bent down to hold the motifs in place.
Reimagined to better suit the modern-day jewellery lover, the long necklaces can now be converted into a shorter version by doubling the chain. They can alternatively be wrapped around the wrist as bracelets or draped down the back.
Swipe gallery below to see the new Alhambra collection:
Discover more on www.vancleefarpels.com.
