VAN Cleef & Arpels partners with 21,39 Jeddah Arts in celebrating art and innovation from February through to May 2017, with a series of opening events on Feb. 1 – 4, 2017. An ardent supporter of the arts, the Maison is proud to be a partner of this an annual program of special exhibitions, workshops and educational forums, in the thriving city of Jeddah. Since opening on the place Vendome in in Paris, Van Cleef & Arpels has proven to be an innovative design leader for over a full century, and with its ability to transform itself and advance the traditions of jewelry making, the Maison is constantly adding to its traditions in the 21st century. Through sustaining a continuous focus of high quality workmanship and design, its desire to maintain vision through artistic direction has resulted in a distinctive aesthetic that will continue to influence consumer taste. As part of the series of cultural events during 21,39 Jeddah Arts, jewelry and design enthusiasts of Jeddah are presented with a High Jewelry exhibition drawing on a cherished source of inspiration for Van Cleef & Arpels: interpretation of travel. Synonymous of the theme of this year's theme of 21, 39, ‘safar'—the Arabic word for travel — Van Cleef & Arpels evokes the wonders of different cultures in its creations. The Arpels brothers were possessed by this genuine passion for stones and a curiosity for the cultures of the world. The journeys they made between the 1950s and the 1970s were rich in fabulous treasures and remarkable encounters. Claude Arpels – the eldest of three – was a particularly indefatigable traveler, referred to at the time as the "Diamond King of Bombay" of the "Friend of Maharajas". His travels, sometimes accompanied by his family, took him to Egypt and Lebanon, but also to China, Thailand, Cambodia and Japan. He went round the world several times and made a dozen visits to India, which he referred to as his "jewel safaris". The High Jewelry Maison's reputation, along with Claude's charm and expertise, served as an introduction to the courts of the Maharajas, where he discovered an abundance of magnificent stones and jewels. "Van Cleef & Arpels is not only a leader of innovation, but an ardent supporter of the arts and recognizes the astounding talent on Saudi Arabia's art scene." says Alessandro Maffi, Van Cleef & Arpels Managing Director Middle East and India. "We are happy to continue nurturing Saudi artists and designers through this long-standing friendship with 21,39 Jeddah Arts."
