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L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, the Paris-based school aiming at shedding light on the very secretive world of Jewelry and Watchmaking, will be returning to Hong Kong, taking up residence at creative and design hub of Hong Kong, the Qube of PMQ from March 4th to March 14th 2016.

The school first travelled to Hong Kong in October 2014 for a two-week program and has been keeping its mission of sharing and transmission with the local community. In 2016, the return of L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels will include four new courses in the curriculum; making up to 10 courses in total based around three themes: Savoir-Faire, Art History of Jewelry and the Universe of Gemstones. It aims to invite all those who are passionate and curious about the Jewelry & Watchmaking field and also the L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels community in Hong Kong on becoming an enlightened amateur.

L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & ArpelsReturns to Hong Kong in March 2016

L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels at The Qube, PMQ, designed and decorated specifically for Hong Kong by interior designer Mr. Johnny Li.

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A School that is Generous and Open

Ever since its foundation in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels has embodied the brilliance of High Jewelry savoir-faire. Inspired by constant inventiveness, the Maison’s excellence has given birth to timeless creations and exceptional techniques l ike the Mystery Set™, the Zipnecklace and Poetic Complications™ timepieces. In 2012, Van Cleef & Arpels openedL’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels to initiate the general public into the historical and cultural aspects of Jewelry and Watchmaking. A school unlike any other, it offers a non-technicalcurriculum designed to appeal to all: lovers of beauty, enlightened connoisseurs and professionals. Its ambition is to encourage the intellectual and emotional understanding of these universes and to convey the craftsmanship through personal experience.

The Program

L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels in Hong Kong offers a selection of 10 courses across three unique sessions: Savoir-Faire, Art History of Jewelry and the Universe of Gemstones. The Savoir-Faire courses will transport students onto the jeweler’s bench, to explore, admire and experience the craftsmanship behind High Jewelry and Watchmaking creations. From the origins to the present, the Art History of Jewelry courses will unveil the major aesthetic sources and the symbols which are part of the wonderful world of Jewelry. Thanks to the Universe of Gemstones courses, students will plunge to the heart of the earth to discover the origin and evolution of its treasures: the gemstones. They will learn how to distinguish precious stones and how to manipulate them.

Each session is limited to a maximum of twelve students; the tailor-made classes enable them to listen and watch; to exchange views and dive into the subject; to have a hands-on experience trying out the crafts of the métiers in the workshops. Each session lasts for three to four hours led by the L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels instructors including jewelers, art historians, experts and gemologists. At the end of each session, the students will receive a certificate, signed byMs. Marie Vallanet-Delhom, President of L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, attesting to the successful completion of the course.

Savoir-Faire

Discover the Jeweler’s GesturesIn this class, students experience some professional jewelry making techniques and try the High Jewelry creation process hands-on. They explore how the subtle combination of Savoir-Faire and the most modern techniques give birth to amazing jewels.

Explore and Create 1: From Design to Mock UpL’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels invites the students to learn the first steps in the creation of a jewel. Using various sources of inspiration, the school instructor, an expert in jewelry design will guide them through the three stages which allow a jewel to be represented in two dimensions: the sketch, the tracing and the gouaché rendering. Then, seated at the jeweler’s bench, they will have the chance to execute a pewter mock-up, the first three-dimensional interpretation of the jewel. This class enables one to discover all the virtuosity of jewelry-making.

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Explore and Create 2: From the Wax Project to the Setting TechniquesThis class takes one to further understand the steps taken to create a jewel, by using the wax and by setting on a silver mounting. Led by two of the “Mains d’Or™” (Golden Hands) from the Van Cleef & Arpels’ High Jewelry workshop, students will be searching for symmetry, modeling shapes, drawing out the placement of the stones during this class. With their own hands, they will experience both the bezel setting and prong setting techniques.

Explore and Create 3: From French Jewels to Japanese LacquerTwo traditions, two arts, two types of Savoir-Faire, are brought to the public for the first time: French Jewelry and Japanese Urushi Lacquer. Seated at the jeweler’s bench, students work both with metal and with inlaid vegetable ivory, to create motifs on a butterfly jewel’s wings. Participants will practice three of the lacquer master’s ancestral techniques: placing colors, Maki-e, and mosaics in mother-of-pearl. This is the class where “Mains d’Or” (Golden Hands) from the High Jewelry Workshops of the Maison and a Master of Urushi Laqueur initiate students into the secrets of their Art.

Art History of Jewelry

Entering the Van Cleef & Arpels UniverseThrough exploring the secrets of heritage and contemporary High Jewelry and Watchmaking pieces, students will discover the History and the universe of Van Cleef & Arpels. They will be able to understand the craftsmanship of the Maison and its sources of inspirations. One will be able to touch, feel and understand the difference of Van Cleef & Arpels by wearing some jewels from the Maison.

Wearing Jewelry: Rules and RevolutionsWith an art historian, this class will unveil the art of wearing jewels, the personal and intimate experience behind it and how the trend has evolved from a codified universe to an era of liberty. With a specialist in style, students will have a chance to use their creativity and“mix and match” jewels.

The Story of Talisman JewelsStudents immerse themselves in symbolic meaning of precious, fine and ornamental gemstones to examine the powers they are said to exert. They will discover how every culture is attached to its own mascot motifs and that these myths and beliefs have fascinated everyone from the Mughal emperors to Napoleon, from Catherine de Medici to Elizabeth Taylor.

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The Universe of Gemstones

Gemstones Investigation: Recognize the StonesThis class focuses on teaching students to become an informed connoisseur by training the eye and discovering the tools of the gemologist. Participants will be examining very similar stones during the class and will learn ways to identify and distinguish them, first using the eyes, then by mastering the gemological instruments.

Fascinating Diamond 1: History and LegendsWith this course taught by both an art historian and a gemologist, one will travel from continent to continent and from mine to mine to discover the diamonds of the world and understand where and how men found and brought out these gemstones. Stories about the most famousdiamonds which made their mark on history will be told, as students contemplate the replicas, discover antique documents, and stunning pictures of legendary gemstones.

Fascinating Diamond 2: Science and GemologySharing the latest advances in chemistry, geology, and physics and following the evolution of technologies, this class unfolds the secrets of diamond for the students: its chemical composition, its birth, the unequalled hardness, and finally the mystery of its brilliance and its fire. One will dive into the heart of the diamond by handling the stones and looking at exclusive documents.

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Courses

Discover the Jeweler’s Gestures

Explore and Create 1: From Design to Mock Up

Explore and Create 2: From the Wax Project to the Setting Techniques

Explore and Create 3: From French Jewels to Japanese Lacquer

Entering the Van Cleef & Arpels Universe

Wearing Jewelry: Rules and Revolutions

The Story of Talisman Jewels

Gemstones Investigation: Recognize the Stones

Fascinating Diamond 1: History and Legends

Fascinating Diamond 2: Science and Gemology

Fees (HKD)

$6,200

$6,200

$6,200

$6,200

$6,200

$3,300

$3,300

$6,200

$3,300

$6,200

Sessions

Savoir-Faire

Art History of

Jewelry

The Universe of

Gemstones

Special Programs

Special programs including three Evening Conversations and five Creative Workshops will be held during L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels in Hong Kong. The Evening Conversations offer a platform for in depth exploration of themes which are specific to the world of jewelry. They give people a chance to learn from and share with two experts on the subject. For example: the Great Collectors of Jewels, magnificent opals and the Sun King’s Blue Diamond, which have all been explored at the school before.

The Creative Workshops on the other hand invite young people to express their creativity as they discover a new universe. By offering an experience that is both playful and educational, this initiative provides a way of sensitizing children and teenagers aged 5 to 16 to the creative professions. All proceeds of this class will be donated to “Bring Me A Book” Foundation to let the spirit of sharing and transmission continue.

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Artistic activities play a vital role in children’s education and development. Trying out the gestures of a craftsman enables them to enrich and stimulate their imagination, master their emotions and develop their dexterity. Open to all, the Creative Workshops offer a highly spontaneous introduction to the worlds of jewelry and watchmaking. Developed in a spirit of transmission and sharing, they apply L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels’ innovative educational techniques to a younger audience.

In small groups of 8 to 12, children and teenagers can immerse themselves in a little-known universe, creating their own art object and using various different materials. Each workshop lasts two hours and is presented by three people: an art historian, an artist, a mock-up maker, a designer or a gemologist, as applicable.

The program consists of five themes, intended for different age groups. From 5 to 16 years old; the workshops give children an opportunity to produce their own creations using various models. Guided by their inspiration, they cut out, paint and color in a friendly, stimulating atmosphere. A broad range of materials are made available to personalize their art object: paper, gouache, felt pens, mosaic, beads, sequins, glitter, ribbons, feather, pompoms, etc.

“Create your Jewel” workshop, 5 to 8 years oldLength: 2 hours / The children are provided with different models of necklaces, bracelets and clips, leaving them a free hand to express their creativity.

“Make your Treasure Chest” workshop, 8 to 12 years oldLength: 2 hours / After selecting a wooden box, the children decorate it as they wish. This creation then becomes their personal Treasure Chest.

“Create your Precious Clock” workshop, 8 to 12 years oldLength: 2 hours / Choosing from a range of five models on a nature theme, the participants decorate their preferred dial. This working clock can then be hung on their bedroom wall.

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“Entering the 3rd dimension: evolution of a jewel” workshop, 13 to 16 years oldLength: 2 hours / This workshop is constructed around one of the crafts of jewelry-making: the mock-up, in which the original design is transposed in three dimensions. Sitting at a jeweler’s workbench, participants try their hands at the gestures of this traditional craft.

“Discovering the world of gemstones” workshop, 13 to 16 years oldLength: 2 hours / In the gemology workshop, the gemologist’s tools are used to reveal fine and ornamental stones. Participants are able to touch and handle the materials to reveal their mysteries.

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The Team

The teaching staff at L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels in Hong Kong consists of 14 instructors: jewelers, art historians, experts, gemologists and historians. Although each of them deals with its own specific field of expertise, the team is united by the desire to share and transmit their knowledge through experimentation and dialogue. The team is led by:

President: Marie Vallanet-Delhom

Marie Vallanet-Delhom is the first President of L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels. Her professional experience has been dedicated to the passing on of expertise and to High Jewelry. After a Master’s degree in Literature, Marie Vallanet-Delhom began her career as a teacher. In 1986 her professional path takes a crucial turn: she joins the Richemont group and its jewelry Maisons, most recently with Van Cleef & Arpels. For 28 years, Marie has been sharing and conveying her passion and extensive knowledge of jewelry with clients and colleagues. Her expertise and personal qualities are the perfect assets to lead the Maison’s new creative and historical challenge: in February 2012, this passionate lover of music and literature becomes President of L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels.

The Hong Kong Committee

To support L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels in Hong Kong, a committee of Hong Kong Professionals and patrons of the Arts has been appointed. The Committee will support and promote the thriving artistic and cultural consciousness within Hong Kong through meaningful engagement in the creation, different interpretations and ongoing transmission of design, art and culture.

L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels is delighted to announce two new members, Mr. William Lim, Managing Director of CL3 Architects Limited and Mr. Victor Lo, Chairman and Chief Executive of Gold Peak Industries (Holdings) Limited joining the Hong Kong Committee.

• Professor Cees de Bont, Dean of School of Design at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University• Ms. Pansy Ho, Managing Director of Shun Tak Holdings Limited and Co-Chairperson & Executive

Director of MGM China Holdings Ltd. • Ms. Pearl Lam, Gallerist, Collector, Patron and Curator, and Founder of the China Art Foundation• Mr. William Lim, Managing Director of CL3 Architects Limited• Mr. Victor Lo, Chairman and Chief Executive of Gold Peak Industries (Holdings) Limited• Ms. Nansun Shi, Co-founder of Cinema City and Film Workshop Co Ltd. • Ms. Jean Wong, Principal and Artistic Director of Jean M. Wong School of Ballet

The Legacy Program

This year, the school has also invited the Hong Kong Committee to take part in a Legacy Program by nominating a candidate. The program is organized for Hong Kong young gifted artists from any field of art including architecture, dance, film, literature, music or visual arts.

The program requires the candidate to interpret jewelry inspired by myths, fairytales and legends from a Hong Kong perspective. Their work can be presented in any art form, including paintings, photographs, videos, dance, written entry and many more.

The President of L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, Ms. Marie Vallanet-Delhom and Mr. Nicolas Bos, President and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels, will form a judging panel and handpick contestants based on a few criterions:

1. Relativity to the theme of “Jewelry: Myths, Fairytales and Legends” 2. Connection with Hong Kong 3. Creativity and the quality of the work submitted

The selected candidates will be offered a 3 days cultural exchange in Paris with the team of L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels to discover the hidden world of jewelry and watchmaking.

About L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & ArpelsFounded in February 2012, L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels is notable for an innovative curriculum geared towards shedding light on the very secretive worlds of Jewelry and Watchmaking. Its goal is to instil an intellectual and emotional understanding of the spirit of these exceptional crafts; to encourage mastery of their techniques through personal experience; to educate the hand, the eye and the sense of taste. It is possible with the help of experts who are passionate about their subjects: art historians, virtuoso craftsmen, experienced jewelers, gemologists, and master watchmakers share their knowledge with students from all over the world.

Mystery Set, Poetic Complications and Mains d’Or are trademarks of Van Cleef & Arpels.

For further information and registration, please visit:hk.lecolevancleefarpels.com

Or email:hklecole@vancleefarpels.com

Or call:+852 2532 7259

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Van Cleef & Arpels Winnie Cheungwinnie-wl.cheung@vancleefarpels.comT: +852 2532 7644

Karen Li karen.li@vancleefarpels.com T: +852 2532 7241