Van Cleef & Arpels reteams with Erik Madigan Heck and Arthur Hoffner for the new Perlée
Take a look at the series of photographs and window displays that highlight the brand's iconic golden beads.
One of the icons at Van Cleef & Arpels, the Perlée, has been given a new lease on life. The latest update sees the Parisian jewellery house once again championing its legendary golden bead motif and referencing the unsung gems in its catalogue, notably the Philippine ring whose combination of ornamental stones and diamonds in bold configurations remains unmatched.
To enhance the collection’s visual universe, the jeweller has tapped frequent collaborators Erik Madigan Heck and Arthur Hoffner for another exciting project. Bringing with them an established understanding of the collection and respect for the brand’s history, the two artists have reimagined the Perlée in a string of photographs and window displays.
Heck, for starters, opted to shine a light on the play of colour and roundness akin to the Perlée style. The renowned photographer looked to Van Cleef & Arpels’ graphic decors and perspective effects to capture a series of high-contrast portraits demonstrating the joyful spirit of the collection and the result is nothing short of breathtaking.
“For the Perlée collaboration, I wanted to reintroduce Van Cleef & Arpels’ collection to the public within its historical context but with a modernist approach that sets it apart from the whimsical, fairy-tale aesthetic of the high jewellery—to keep it fresh and contemporary, with a hint to the 1960s cut- out illustrations,” says Heck in a statement.
Meanwhile, Hoffner, whose relationship with the house began in 2019, has devised new installations that bring forth the elements of balance and suspended movement. The displays combine spheres, aluminium tubes and blocks of marble, and feature delicate coloured beads seemingly drifting along multi-dimensional pathways.
The decor, suffused with warmth and contrast via its pink, blue and gold juxtaposition, has also inspired a 3D animated film developed by the brand in partnership with the award-winning artist. These unique installations are set to adorn the exterior and interior windows of Van Cleef & Arpels boutiques around the world.
