Jewelry tradition is alive and properly within the fingers of L’École, College of Jewellery Arts, and Van Cleef & Arpels, who’ve just lately opened the doorways to their latest enterprise within the coronary heart of Paris. Based in 2012 with the help of the jewelry home, the varsity has now opened an enormous new location – an exhibition area, bookstore, generously geared up library, and stylish dwelling to a variety of programs, providing schooling on the whole lot from gemology to the historical past of jewelry and basic savoir-faire, together with setting methods and lacquer design.
Positioned within the neoclassical Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, as soon as a non-public dwelling, L’École eschews entrance charges, and is eager to welcome all via its doorways. ‘We intention to supply entry to the world of jewelry to the widest viewers doable,’ says president and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels, Nicolas Bos. ‘Our world shouldn’t intimidate or flip anybody away.’
Inside L’École Van Cleef & Arpels
(Picture credit score: Van Cleef & Arpels)
Designer, inside architect and scenographer Constance Guisset (who had a solo present, ‘Shock Occasion! Carte Blanche à Constance Guisset Studio’ at Milan’s Fuorisalone 2023) was on the helm of the inside, balancing an intricate compromise between the historic codes of the Nineteenth-century structure and the trendy, fluid structure inside. She says: ‘I strategy area intuitively: after I enter an area, I put together myself psychologically so I’ll perceive its volumes. As I transfer via it, I’ll think about decreasing a ceiling, for various heights can create a sense of motion. I’ll incorporate a recess in a sure space to supply guests a spot to retreat. After which, solely after the volumes have been outlined, I take into consideration the environment. The form of the furnishings contributes to a sense of consolation. I attempt to add mushy strains utilizing furnishings with rounded edges. I like curves for his or her sleek, delicate nature.’
Provides Bos: ‘Its façade is so discreet that it creates a component of shock. Who would look forward to finding such a phenomenal setting upon crossing the edge of its porte-cochère? The Boulevard Montmartre tackle feels extra accessible than our Place Vendôme location. And the encircling neighbourhood, whereas well-liked, has sturdy ties with tradition and artwork, due to its lined passageways, its theatres, the Hôtel Drouot, and the Musée Grévin. I like the mixture of the 2. This a part of Paris can also be related to jewelry, for jewelry makers and stone retailers usually are not distant.’
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A model of this text seems within the February 2024 difficulty of Wallpaper* – devoted to the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2024 – obtainable in print, on the Wallpaper* app on Apple iOS, and to subscribers of Apple Information +. Subscribe to Wallpaper* as we speak
Supply: Wallpaper