Like many other Geneva-based watchmaking workshops, the one belonging to Van Cleef & Arpels has decorated its walls with sketches and design drawings. Unique to this one is the whimsical subject matter: butterflies, fairies, ballerinas and astronomical fancies. There is a carefree, bohemian storytelling to the maison’s development process. Its origin reflects this; it was founded through a love story of its own, between Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef. The first location, at Place Vendôme in Paris, opened in 1906.
That romantic French outlook is still key to Van Cleef & Arpels today. The maison’s headquarters and creative centre are still in France. “The whole legacy, patrimony, stories, inspirations, and designs are really embedded in the culture of Van Cleef & Arpels,” explains its CEO, Nicolas Bos, who was born in Paris. “It’s very often a bit complicated, with a lot of references, a bit intellectual. And with a love of revolution, avant-garde, and change,” he says of the French approach. “The French aspect is always very inspired… there is always a strong creative context. We love inspiration, that’s for sure.”
Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Robb Report Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Robb Report Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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BREAKING DOWN WALLS
Georgina Atkinson, managing partner of Origin Private Office, on the evolving landscape of high-end real estate.
Aged Gracefully
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This Month's Feed
Only the best dining and drinking spots in Singapore.
Small-scale Thinking
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Todd Snyder Is Exactly Where He Wants To Be
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Depp Dive Into Sauvage
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Time For Poetry
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One of a Kind
The incomparable Lange 1 turns 30 this year and A. Lange & Söhne marks the occasion with its trademark understatement.
P For Personality
Enhance your swing, and inject your personal style while you're at it, with TaylorMade's new P-770 and P-7CB irons.
The Short-hop-adventure-craft Category Takes Off
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