Logo Hashtag Legend
Monthly Cover

Van Cleef & Arpels enters a world of whimsy with high jewellery collection

#legend

BY

Sep 07, 2021

Van Cleef & Arpels draws on the magical sphere for its high jewellery collection with French artist and illustrator Charlotte Gastaut

Étincelles d’Émeraudes transformable necklace in white gold with emerald-cut emeralds, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds; Feuillage d’Émeraude ring in white gold and platinum with cushion-cut emerald, black spinels and diamonds
by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Black oversized square-neck dress by Fetico from Joyce. Photo: #legend

Mermaid prints, unicorn colours, fairy aesthetics. The mythical world and its creatures are often sources of inspiration in art and literature.

Van Cleef & Arpels‘ latest high jewellery collection is set in an enchanted garden as seen through the eyes of French artist and illustrator Charlotte Gastaut who specialises in children’s book illustration.

A mythical journey

Gastaut takes us on a journey in a mythical forest with the latest collection. Flowers, butterflies and even fairies form the basis of designs for a range of rings, earrings and clips. 

A particular highlight of the collection is the Etincelles d’émeraudes transformable necklace, which showcases eleven Colombian emeralds and weighs a total of 39.04 carats.

“Through this collaboration with Van Cleef & Arpels, I can draw very freely and illustrate a whole universe around nature – a theme very dear to the Maison – to magnify the high jewellery collections,” said Gastaut. “And it is an immense pleasure for me to work on this subject, which I also particularly like.”

A fairytale collaboration

Her working relationship with the Maison began in 2018 when she created the graphic universe illustrating the high jewellery collection, Quatre contes de Grimm

Gastaut’s art style is distinguished by a wide palette of colours, furnished patterns and elegant characters. In doing so, she brought four fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm to life in Van Cleef & Arpels’ universe.

The pleasure she takes in her work with the brand is clear in the whimsical abandon of her designs. “Van Cleef & Arpels is one of the only Maison which enables me to imagine the decor without restriction,” she said. “I can go wild: colours, patterns, repetitions. Nature is in the spotlight.” 

Charlotte Gastaut’s illustration featuring Van Cleef & Arpels’ iconic zip necklace design. Video: Van Cleef & Arpels

CREDITS
Creative concept and production / #legend
Photography / Ricky Lo
Styling / Chloe Mak
Styling assistant / LokLam, Kate Mak
Hair / Jean Tong
Makeup / Littlewhite
Set design / Ricky Lo
Florist / Gingermite

Also see: A journey through the cosmos with Van Cleef & Arpels

READ NEXT