A dainty floral motif comprising a trio of heart-shaped petals set with glistening pavé diamonds is the focus of Van Cleef & Arpels' Frivole range. For spring, the jewellery house has given the Frivole family an update, with nine new designs that give the collection a fresh, contemporary edge.
Case in point: from the band of one gold ring sprout two radiant diamond-studded flowers, one slightly smaller than the other. Each bloom is intended to sit between two fingers – a design concept formerly used with the brand’s signature butterfly and Alhambra clover charms. For traditionalists, meanwhile, the Frivole flower appears on a pendant, or on a pair of earrings, where the petals appear to have been caught mid-motion. At times, the flowers are showcased in a singular fashion, appearing enlarged on a delicate chain, while in other instances, they’re portrayed in symmetrical pairs or as part of a delightfully cluttered bouquet.
Yellow and white gold renditions of the flower appear devoid of diamonds, too, save for a single gem marking the flower’s central stigma. These petals give off a striking, reflective appearance, thanks to the French jeweller’s signature mirror-polishing method and the precise, architectural placement of the petals.
To say that flowers are a recurring source of inspiration for Van Cleef & Arpels is something of an understatement – natural motifs are a fundamental part of the brand’s DNA. In fact, many of the maison’s most high-profile clients are known to have opted specifically for floral designs when it came to their Van Cleef purchases. In 1967, the legendary Greek soprano Maria Callas ordered a brooch featuring four petals sparkling majestically with diamonds and rubies, while a brooch in the shape of a daisy, set with resplendent diamonds and sapphires, was part of the extensive Van Cleef & Arpels collection amassed by Princess Grace of Monaco.
Today, floral designs from the jewellery house, both minimal and ornate in nature but always beset with the highest quality jewels, attract a diverse fan base. The charming Frivole earrings, for instance, are favourites among celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Kirsten Dunst and recent Oscar-winner Emma Stone. There’s no denying it: this delicate little flower carries great weight in the style stakes.
Read this and more stories in Luxury magazine, out with The National on Thursday, April 13.
hlodi@thenational.ae
