Title
An Exercise in Style: Van Cleef & Arpels
Posted in
Fashion, Jewelry Design, Book
Release Date
7 December 2015
Publisher
Éditions Gallimard
Format
Hardcover, 26.3 x 3.3 x 21.1 cm
Details

232 pages, 70 color and 70 b&w illustrations

ISBN
9782072625787
Price
$55 rrp
Official Website
Éditions Gallimard
Detailed Information
TitleAn Exercise in Style: Van Cleef & ArpelsPosted inFashion, Jewelry Design, BookRelease Date7 December 2015
PublisherÉditions GallimardFormatHardcover, 26.3 x 3.3 x 21.1 cmDetails

232 pages, 70 color and 70 b&w illustrations

ISBN9782072625787Price$55 rrpOfficial WebsiteÉditions Gallimard

High jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels has joined forces with venerable French publisher Gallimard to create a luxurious book that reflects the high standards of craftsmanship and style that the two houses have in common. Titled “An Exercise in Style”, the 230-page hardcover comes in a cream-coloured box case and contains a handpicked “vocabulary” of 25 concepts that are part of Van Cleef & Arpels’ identity and savoir faire. Each of these concepts is accompanied by a typical dictionary definition, photos of Van Cleef & Arpels’ jewellery and archival images, and contributions from notable personalities, some of whom are friends and collaborators of the maison. 

"An Exercise in Style" video still © Van Cleef & Arpels

"An Exercise in Style" video still © Van Cleef & Arpels

The unusual line-up of contributors includes artists, an algebraist, a fashion creator, designers, authors, a gardener, a choreographer, an astrophysicist, photographers, an opera singer, a watchmaker, a starred chef and a philosopher — all of whom give their own definition of the word or concept assigned to them. For example, the book opens with the word Love, for which acclaimed opera singer Natalie Dessay provided a facsimile of the original score of an aria from Charles Gounod’s opera Romeo and Juliet. A few pages down, algebraist Laurent Derobert concocted an equation that can calculate LUCK in relation to happiness and pleasure. The book ends with a drawing by Lanvin’s creative director Alber Elbaz, inspired by Van Cleef & Arpels’ signature Zip necklaces. 

In 1956, HSH Princess Grace and HSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco dancing at the Formentor Yacht Club during their honeymoon in Majorca. Photo AP/Sipa. 

In 1956, HSH Princess Grace and HSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco dancing at the Formentor Yacht Club during their honeymoon in Majorca. Photo AP/Sipa. 

Lovebirds clip, 1945. Platinum, yellow gold, rubies and diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels collection.

Lovebirds clip, 1945. Platinum, yellow gold, rubies and diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels collection.

Cadenas timepiece, ca. 1940. Platinum and diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels collection.

Cadenas timepiece, ca. 1940. Platinum and diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels collection.

Flying butterfly ring, 2007. White gold, red gold, Mystery-Set sapphires and diamonds. Photo Coppi Barbieri.

Flying butterfly ring, 2007. White gold, red gold, Mystery-Set sapphires and diamonds. Photo Coppi Barbieri.

Marking each chapter in the book are intricate laser-cut paperworks depicting fairies and other imagery related to Van Cleef & Arpels’ designs; delicate, elaborate and perfectly designed, these creative “intermissions” subtly remind us that it is not by chance that Gallimard is one of the leading publishing houses in the world. The book “An Exercise in Style” was released in early October 2015 and is already available through various vendors online.

Hélène Arpels at the Prix de Diane in Chantilly, June 4, 1939. She is wearing a Passe-partout necklace and bracelet. Bibliothèque nationale de France / photo by the Séeberger brothers.

Hélène Arpels at the Prix de Diane in Chantilly, June 4, 1939. She is wearing a Passe-partout necklace and bracelet. Bibliothèque nationale de France / photo by the Séeberger brothers.

Original score. Marie Modiano / Peter von Poehl.

Original score. Marie Modiano / Peter von Poehl.

An Exercise in Style: A Book with 25 Words by Van Cleef & Arpels and Gallimard

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