Page 52 - S/ Winter 2024

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Shining Star
A Parisian elegance beckons on Bloor Street at Van Cleef & Arpels Toronto flagship.
By Arusha Adnan
I n a grand reveal that resonated with timeless elegance and artistic inspiration, Van Cleef & Arpels unveiled its latest gem on Toronto’s prestigious Bloor Street. This remarkable 2,500 square foot flagship store is a testament
to the French Maison’s enduring connection with Canada and the country’s thriving luxury landscape.
The brand’s first standalone boutique features a private salon, where clients are invited to explore the Maison’s
exquisite creations in comfort and privacy, while the events room features custom fabric walls adorned with a floral motif and a captivating oval-shaped Veronese-style chandelier, all enclosed by a gold-leaf ceiling. Each room offers a distinct and intimate experience, making it the perfect setting to discover their iconic jewellery and timepieces.
Helen King, the president & CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels, Americas, shares her excitement about the new location, saying, “We are delighted to enhance the elegant universe of our French Maison with our new boutique on Bloor Street, designed to evoke the warmth and elegance of a Parisian apartment. We look forward to further showcasing our iconic creations and rich heritage with Toronto’s sophisticated clientele.”
One distinctive feature is its Art Deco-inspired black and gold facade, originally designed for a 1937 minaudière. This geometric and pyramidal pattern, reminiscent of a claire-voie and inspired by Egyptian history, extends to the length of the boutique and is a first for the Maison in the North American market.
The store is home to both signature and new collections—including the timeless Snowflake collection, which combines the luminosity of platinum and yellow gold with the sparkle of meticulously selected diamonds, all created under the most stringent criteria.
Elsewhere in the new store, the Alhambra motif—an iconic aesthetic of Van Cleef & Arpels since 1968—draws inspiration from the four-leaf clover, celebrating luck through constantly reinvented jewellery and timepieces. The Perlée collection, introduced in 2008, draws inspiration from the Maison’s history, featuring golden beads that have graced their creations since the 1920s.
Whether in yellow, rose, or white gold, and combined with precious or ornamental stones, mother-of-pearl, or coral, these collections illustrate the Maison’s savoir faire with their rounded forms and shimmering reflections, which adorn a variety of jewellery and watches with graphic, luminous silhouettes.
Van Cleef & Arpels, founded in 1906 at Place Vendôme, Paris, has a rich history of creating enchanting high jewellery, fine jewellery, and horological collections. The Maison’s commitment to artistic expression also extends to various cultural endeavors, including heritage protection, the fine arts, design, dance, and poetry.
As Van Cleef & Arpels welcomes Toronto’s sophisticated clientele to its new flagship boutique, it brings with it a timeless universe of beauty, elegance, and harmony.
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Photo courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels.