Van Cleef and Arpels

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

May 22, 2011
Once upon a time, famous women wore their jewels. They didn’t let someone else’s jewels wear them. That is but one of many fabulous take-aways from the dazzling show “Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels,” at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum through July 4th.

Since its opening on the Place Vendôme in Paris in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels has played a leading role in style and design innovation. Its timeless pieces have been worn by style icons including the Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. This exhibition will explore the historical significance of the firm’s contributions to jewelry design in the 20th century, including the establishment of Van Cleef & Arpels in New York with the advent of World War II. On view will be more than 250 works including jewels, timepieces, fashion accessories and objets d’art by Van Cleef & Arpels, many of which were created exclusively for the American market. The exhibition will examine the work through the lenses of innovation, transformation, nature as inspiration, exoticism, fashion and celebrity, and will include design drawings from the Van Cleef & Arpels archives.

Van Cleef & Arpels

Marlene Dietrich’s commissioned ruby-and-diamond bracelet starred in “Stage Fright.”

Barbara Hutton’s Dragonfly Fairy brooch, the sleekest of Van Cleef’s sprites.
Elizabeth Taylor’s pendant earrings with amethysts that Richard Burton said matched her eyes.

Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels

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