CHIC Creations

Van Cleef & Arpels has a knack for creating some of the world's most outstanding jewellery designs. The maison's president for Asia-Pacific, Nicolas Luchsinger, tells Vogue Singapore why it has such recognisable style.

- CELINE YAP

The Alhambra. The Zip necklace. The ballerina brooch. These creations need no introduction and are the most collectible jewellery of Van Cleef & Arpels. But the stylistic ingenuity of the maison extends far beyond its iconic collections and can even be seen in its classical high jewellery pieces. Whether it’s a necklace of bows and ribbons, delicate floret rings, or a simple but distinctive botanical-inspired brooch, the trained eye could immediately identify quintessential hallmarks of the maison’s savoir-faire. Mystery-set coloured gemstones are a sure giveaway. Diamonds that flow uninterrupted alongside the gold mounting offer the illusion of softness, fluidity and even malleability. This was the single most important message behind Van Cleef & Arpels’ latest high jewellery collection, Legend of Diamonds.