L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels Paris School of Jewelry will debut in the Middle East with the opening of a temporary branch in Dubai this fall.
Van Cleef & Arpels announces the upcoming arrival of L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels (L'ÉCOLE) in Dubai this fall.
The first Middle Eastern Paris school of jewelry will become the “nomadic campus” at Hai d3 in the Dubai Design District. She will shed light on the backstage of the world of jewelry and watchmaking from November 7 to 25, 2017.
As part of its program, Nomadic L'ÉCOLE will present a full range of courses led by professional jewelers, art historians, gemologists and watchmakers. Evening conversations, several exhibitions and other events closely related to jewelry will complement the first jewelry school in the region.
L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, founded with the support of Maison Van Cleef & Arpels in Paris in February 2012, is the first public school in the world to reveal the secrets, history and culture of fine jewelry and watchmaking. Nowhere in the world is there such a unique opportunity to enrich knowledge through experimentation and dialogue.
Although the school is based in an 18th-century mansion on Place Vendome, the cradle of Parisian jewelry, L'ÉCOLE travels around the world, maintaining a spirit of open exchange of values. Having previously visited Tokyo, New York and Hong Kong, the school arrives in Dubai with the largest program in its history. L'ÉCOLE will transfer its experience through a series of discussions, interactive classes, creative workshops for children and evening conversations.
L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels in Dubai will offer 13 adult courses on three topics: Savoir-Faire (know-how), the history of jewelry craftsmanship and the Universe of precious stones - each lasting from 2 to 4 hours. They are taught by at least two specialists in their field - jewelers, designers, fashion designers, art historians, gemologists, watchmakers and varnish masters. These people are eager to share their knowledge and all of them have been trained to become excellent teachers.
To inspire youth, L'ÉCOLE also invites young audiences to develop creativity, opening up a new world of jewelry design. Six creative workshops for children and adolescents will provide them with the opportunity to learn new professions. During the week, cooperation with local schools will be carried out, and on weekends the courses will be open to the public.
L'ÉCOLE brings together the reputable Gulf institutions in evening conversations to maximize the effect at the intersection of the world of jewelry and culture. Curiosity and dialogue are the key words for an event during which an art historian from L'ÉCOLE and a local expert discuss different chapters in the history of the jewelry world. Maintaining strong links between art and culture, L'ÉCOLE collaborates with Middle Eastern educational and cultural institutions in a series of meetings at Hai d3.
L'ÉCOLE will offer many exhibitions - from a private jewelry collection to minerals from MinesParis Tech. L'ÉCOLE is also committed to launching new designers by showcasing the work of Van Cleef & Arpels Emerging Design 2017 finalists.
“We are pleased to announce the debut of L'ÉCOLE in the Middle East the year we celebrate our 5th anniversary,” said Marie Wallanet-Delhom, President of L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, ““ Over the past five years, more than 16 thousand students from all over the world have taken advantage of L'ÉCOLE educational materials in Paris and abroad. ”
“L'ÉCOLE’s arrival in the Gulf is an event that confirms our commitment to the region in which we operate. This allows us to transfer our knowledge of fine craftsmanship, jewelry and watchmaking, to the profession that Maison Van Cleef & Arpels has held in her heart for over a hundred years, ”said Alessandro Muffy, Managing Director of Middle East & India Van Cleef & Arpels.
As part of the charity year launched by the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels will donate Dubai Cares all funds received from registration for the courses.
In order to support L'ÉCOLE in the Middle East, the school collaborated with institutions from the cultural and educational environment of the UAE. In particular, partnerships were established with the Dubai Office of Culture and Arts, the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the Dubai Tourism and Commercial Marketing Department (Dubai Tourism) and several other prominent institutions, including the Dubai Opera, Dubai Design District, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and others.
Registration for courses will be open in September.
