It’s a cool and blustery evening in Milan, with light rain falling as we bound along narrow cobblestone streets on our way to a neoclassical palace that sits in the shadow of the majestic Duomo and was once home to Napoleon and Ferdinand I. Save for the Christmas lights that twinkle outside the many luxury boutiques, all is dark and quiet until we climb the wide marble steps inside the Palazzo Reale to discover a universe of gold, diamonds and gemstones of every hue laid out in a maze of eclectically decorated rooms.
It’s here, in one of the city’s leading cultural institutions, that Van Cleef & Arpels has chosen to present its latest exhibition of jewellery, watches and precious objects. Van Cleef & Arpels: Time, Nature, Love follows recent shows in Singapore, Kyoto and Beijing but is the Maison's first in Italy, with more than 400 creations – and accompanying sketches, documents and gouache designs – from its century-old treasure trove.
Founded in Paris in 1906 following the marriage of Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels, Van Cleef & Arpels is already world-renowned for its innovative designs and precious objects inspired by nature, the arts, and a blend of cultures from Europe and as far a field as India and Japan. But, as this exhibition aims to reveal, its collection also tells a story of the 20th century, its shifting aesthetics and passing fashions, the rise and fall of empires and dynasties and, not least of all, its greatest love stories.
SHOW OF FORCE
Denne historien er fra Feb 2020-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Feb 2020-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Sailing Into A Dream
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Here Come The Sun Seats
Italian furniture has long held the crown for blending luxurious, sophisticated design with impeccable craftsmanship.
ABSOLUMENT FAB
France's premier fair for fine-art and antiques returns for its third edition inside its new home in the Grand Palais.
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THE CUTTING EDGE
Having long played quiet supporting roles in the gem industry, gem cutters are finally having their day in the sun. Four acclaimed independent master gem cutters share more about their love of the craft and the creation of their best pieces.
Spheres of Power
Following up on the gold- and titanium-focused Tiffany Titan by Pharrell Williams launch collection, the superstar now turns to pearls for a softer, but no less striking, second act.
Horological Masterpieces Reimagined
Beyond the wrist, these timekeepers transcend all traditional boundaries.
WILD IMAGINATION
Cartier's latest category-spanning Panthère de Cartier novelties showcase the endless ways in which the panther continues to inspire.
READY FOR ACTION
The latest watch to come from the celebrated Richard Mille and McLaren partnership looks set to be another trailblazing timepiece.
THE RIGHT ANGLES
Twenty-five years after the launch of its last new collection, Twenty-4, Patek Philippe introduces the Cubitus range.
