Jewellery culture is alive and well in the hands of L’École, School of Jewelry Arts, and Van Cleef & Arpels, who have recently opened the doors to their newest venture in the heart of Paris. Founded in 2012 with the support of the jewellery house, the school has now opened a vast new location – an exhibition space, bookstore, generously equipped library, and elegant home to a range of courses, offering education on everything from gemology to the history of jewellery and general savoir-faire, including setting techniques and lacquer design.
Located in the neoclassical Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, once a private home, L’École eschews entrance fees, and is keen to welcome all through its doors. ‘We aim to provide access to the world of jewellery to the widest audience possible,’ says president and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels, Nicolas Bos. ‘Our world shouldn’t intimidate or turn anyone away.’
Inside L’École Van Cleef & Arpels
Designer, interior architect and scenographer Constance Guisset (who had a solo show, ‘Surprise Party! Carte Blanche à Constance Guisset Studio’ at Milan’s Fuorisalone 2023) was at the helm of the interior, balancing an intricate compromise between the historical codes of the 19th-century architecture and the modern, fluid layout within. She says: ‘I approach space intuitively: when I enter a space, I prepare myself psychologically so I may understand its volumes. As I move through it, I may consider lowering a ceiling, for varying heights can create a feeling of movement. I may incorporate a recess in a certain area to offer visitors a place to retreat. And then, only after the volumes have been defined, I think about the atmosphere. The shape of the furniture contributes to a feeling of comfort. I try to add soft lines using furniture with rounded edges. I like curves for their graceful, delicate nature.’
Adds Bos: ‘Its façade is so discreet that it creates an element of surprise. Who would expect to find such a beautiful setting upon crossing the threshold of its porte-cochère? The Boulevard Montmartre address feels more accessible than our Place Vendôme location. And the surrounding neighbourhood, while popular, has strong ties with culture and art, thanks to its covered passageways, its theatres, the Hôtel Drouot, and the Musée Grévin. I like the combination of the two. This part of Paris is also associated with jewellery, for jewellery makers and stone merchants are not far away.’
A version of this article appears in the February 2024 issue of Wallpaper* – dedicated to the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2024 – available in print, on the Wallpaper* app on Apple iOS, and to subscribers of Apple News +. Subscribe to Wallpaper* today
-
‘Concrete Dreams’: rethinking Newcastle’s brutalist pastA new project and exhibition at the Farrell Centre in Newcastle revisits the radical urban ideas that changed Tyneside in the 1960s and 1970s
-
Mexican designers show their metal at Gallery Collectional, Dubai‘Unearthing’ at Dubai’s Gallery Collectional sees Ewe Studio designers Manu Bañó and Héctor Esrawe celebrate Mexican craftsmanship with contemporary forms
-
At The Manner, New York has a highly fashionable new living roomThe Manner, a new hopsitality experience by Standard International in the heart of SoHo, triples up as a hotel, private residence, and members’ club
-
Take a look at the big winners of the watch world OscarsThe Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève is the Oscars for the watch world – get all the news on the 2024 event here
-
An impressive private jewellery collection goes on public display in Dubai, organised by Van Cleef & Arpels’ L’École, School of Jewelry ArtsLate French collector and antique art dealer Yves Gastou amassed an impressive ring collection, now the subject of an exhibition, ‘Men’s Rings, Yves Gastou Collection’
-
At Paris Fashion Week, Antwerp jewellery house Wouters & Hendrix celebrates its 40th birthdayThe new collection is launched in collaboration with Antwerp's Royal Museum of Fine Arts (KMSKA)
-
Wild beauties: high jewellery dripping with dramaThe latest high jewellery collections are fantastic and flamboyant, drawing on a wealth of influences, from a Chopin composition and César Ritz to crocodiles and colour refraction
-
Van Cleef & Arpels' immersive London exhibition takes visitors inside the watchmaking worldVan Cleef & Arpels’ exhibition, ‘Poetry of Time’, at South Kensington’s Cromwell Place gallery, traces the early days of the maison
-
In Van Cleef & Arpels’ high jewellery, the archival meets the au courantVan Cleef & Arpels pays tribute to its rich heritage with a captivating high jewellery collection
-
Paris 2024 and Chaumet unveil Olympic and Paralympic medalsThe Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic medals designed by Chaumet are not just emblems of champions but are storytelling jewellery
-
Rolex wins Best Pop Art in the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2024The Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch rejoices in colour
