Van Cleef & Arpels presents the Le Grand Tour High Jewellery collection
Van Cleef & Arpels' latest high jewellery collection is a synthesis of classicism, extraordinary stones and incomparable savoir-faire.
A journey of initiation that was both artistic and cultural, the Grand Tour was the indispensable rite of passage necessary to complete a noble upbringing. From London to Paris, from Swiss glaciers to the great Italian cities: Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, Van Cleef & Arpels retraces the stages of the great voyage in search of inspiration for the unique pieces of its latest high jewellery collection.
The 70 masterpieces, created with the creativity and the virtuosity of craftsmanship characteristic of the Maison, recover the details, inspirations and allusions linked to the art and culture of the cities that were the obligatory pit stops of the aristocrats, artists and intellectuals of the 18th and 19th centuries. By reinventing the motifs of the decorative elements of Roman, Etruscan, Medieval and Renaissance antique jewellery, the result is an exceptional expression of elegant classicism, anchored in destinations and gemstones.
Among the many breathtaking creations is the convertible Diana sautoir in white and pink gold with a superb cushion-cut Madagascar sapphire, sapphires, emeralds, cultured pearls and diamonds. Inspired by Diana’s temple in the Villa Borghese gardens, this jewel of extraordinary suppleness beautifies the lines of the décolleté and can be transformed into a set made up of a necklace, brooch and bracelets. Equally splendid is the Villanova necklace, crafted in white and pink gold with nine cabochon-cut rubellites and diamonds — inspired by Etruscan jewellery. This masterpiece, a creation of savoir-faire, is defined by its chevron mesh choker, and scallop, bead and prong settings.
The Regina montium necklace is simply magnificent — a triumphant reference to the romantic Alps — highlighting two blue-green tourmalines of remarkable purity on a background of sapphires, aquamarines, tanzanites and diamonds. Airy and light, the Carriera earrings are a tribute to the famous 18th-century Venetian portraitist Rosalba Carriera. Crafted in white and rose gold with pink sapphires, spessartite garnets, cultured pearls and diamonds, the delicate earrings are constructed with finesse using different setting techniques, enlisting prongs, beads and bezels. Transformable and versatile, they can also be worn without their pendants.
Photography: Alex Aikiu
Styling: Vanessa Bellugeon
Words: Fabia Di Drusco
Light & Digital Director: Maud Mahobah
Set Designer: Cyril Poirier
Floral Designer: Muse Montmartre
Styling Assistant: Eva Chatton
Styling: Gregory Woo
Producer: Joshua Glasgow
