Jewels Design Innovation—Van Cleef & Arpels as a Case Study

Abstract

This case study about the jewelry design innovation in the renowned Van Cleef & Arpels was triggered by the visit to the exhibition Van Cleef & Arpels—Il Tempo, la Natura, l’Amore, held in Milan earlier this year. To investigate the design innovation brought by VC&A to the high jewelry is one of this research main objectives. Since its foundation in 1906 in Paris, VC&A never stopped to innovate both designing new forms and introducing new handicraft methods for the jewels creation. This French Maison’s style evolution has always known how to interpret the spirit of the times, maintaining a creative and execution quality of excellence. Van Cleef & Arpels has always kept up to date with events in the world of art and with innovations in the field of creation in general. The main aim of this research was to understand the roots and the developments of the Van Cleef & Arpels innovative path. This research was based on a specific literature review and on the direct observation of the jewels and their original drawings.