A Day Of Beauty And Craftsmanship With Van Cleef & Arpels And L’ÉCOLE
There are events that transcend the notion of a simple gathering—and the meeting organized by Van Cleef & Arpels, in partnership with L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, was precisely that. Hosted at the historic Palácio de Santos, home of the French Embassy in Lisbon, the day unfolded as an immersion into craftsmanship, heritage, and artistic excellence.
Guests were welcomed through the palace’s imposing façade before stepping into an interior filled with warmth, conversation, and a refined welcome drink. The atmosphere set the perfect tone for the first highlight of the day: the insightful talk “Flora in Jewelry Arts”, presented by Gilliane Berardini and Laure-Hélène Delbot from L’ÉCOLE. Their expertise offered a fascinating look into how nature continues to inspire jewelry design across eras.
Moving through one of the palace’s breathtaking halls, attendees were led to an exclusive live jewelry workshop, where artisans demonstrated the delicate and time-honored processes behind drawing and crafting fine pieces. The precision, the patience, and the poetry of the gesture were on full display. Laure-Hélène Delbot guided the experience with her characteristic clarity, unveiling the meticulous world that lies behind every creation.
Another unforgettable moment was stepping into the spectacular Ming porcelain room, a unique space where hundreds of pieces form a ceiling-mounted pyramid that miraculously survived the 1755 earthquake. It is considered the third largest Ming porcelain collection room in the world—an awe-inspiring testament to history and preservation.
The day concluded in the palace’s graceful garden, where an elegant lunch brought together guests, artisans, and jewelry lovers in a serene and inspiring setting. It was a celebration not only of savoir-faire but of beauty, culture, and connection.
Van Cleef & Arpels Introduces Three New Creations to the Alhambra Collection
As part of this special gathering, we also discovered the latest expressions of Van Cleef & Arpels’ iconic Alhambra Collection, each staying true to the Maison’s spirit of luck, harmony, and timeless elegance.
MAGIC ALHAMBRA TRANSFORMABL LONG NECKLACES
A playful take on the classic Alhambra motifs, these new transformable long necklaces can be worn as a long strand, short necklace, or bracelet. They charm with asymmetrical motifs of varying sizes and refined combinations of materials such as rose gold, chalcedony, and mother-of-pearl.
VINTAGE ALHAMBRA REVERSIBLE RINGS
These reversible rings offer two looks in one: a precious stone on one side and a diamond-set motif on the other. The smooth rotating mechanism and signature beaded contours make them both elegant and versatile, available in harmonious pairings of gray mother-of-pearl, chalcedony, rose gold, and white gold.
SWEET ALHAMBRA WATCH
A delicate jewelry watch that alternates ornamental stones, fine guilloché work, and diamond-set motifs. With its golden beaded contours and refined symmetry, it blends the Maison’s watchmaking charm with the poetic soul of the Alhambra emblem.
