English Version | Van Cleef & Arpels: Trending Forever

Especially because the high jewellery brand also never rested in the shadow of its success by introducing over time new designs that have renewed their appeal, particularly for those who learned to collect this Alhambra motif, symbol of luck and reflection of an optimistic vision of life that is Van Cleef & Arpels's. This year, the yellow gold guilloché, the special technique with sun-ray vein that the Maison has been using since 1910 and introduced in this collection in 2018 to mark its 50th anniversary, comes along with the deep blue agate stone in both the Sweet Alhambra watch as in the Vintage Alhambra reversible ring (and still in a pendant and a pair of earrings), promising to attract all those who love the latest fashions, but who are also fans of good investments that stay around for more that a season.

This combination of “gold on blue” is not only literal, but rather a reflection of this expression meaning “everything is awesome”: continuing the brand’s answer to prioritizing the savoir-faire and the expertise of its jewelry, this Alhambra collection known for its selection of stones and by the rich palette of materials and hues doesn’t disappoint in this novelty, keeping the quality of its manufacturing in both what is not seen to the naked eye, and in the obvious beauty of the design. Beginning in the texture that the guilloché motif brings and then exponentiating it with the blue agate, first introduced in the Alhambra line in 1989. This translucent calcedonian variant responds to the strict demands of the French house, which prioritizes pure material, intense color and to the gleaming surface, which then meet in the emblematic motif of the clover. By the way, its natural component is such that it is possible to observe slight variations of opacity, giving their creations their uniqueness and its charm, incremented by the different, and particularly delicate, steps of the polishing process.

The cherry on top is a beaded outline, Van Cleef & Arpels signature, which surrounds each motif and highlights the combination of the bright guilloché gold with the dark blue agate, a creation that translates to the new maison pieces, much more than just an extremely beautiful accessory. The Vintage Alhambra ring, for example, is reversible, allowing you to switch between a full golden version or with the visible blue agate. In 2023, they lived up to its mission to renew the art of everyday jewelry with creations that adapt to different desires and silhouettes, Van Cleef & Arpels presented this transformative piece entrenched in the tradition of the convertible jewelry that the Maison does so much. For 2024, the model reinvents itself with its two faces – one in yellow gold guilloché with a diamond and the other in blue agate – and one outline with double beads reflecting the aesthetic codes in the collection, but also the quality of its production (all components of all parts are hand-mounted and fitted): its mechanism rotates fluid and consistently and the diamond height is designed to ensure comfortable use and to preserve the radiance of the stone. The mastery of the Sweet Alhambra watch continues this evolution so the final polishing highlights the watch that doubles as a charm bracelet.

No surprises here: from the very beginning, the house's creations are inspired by this idea of ​​good fortune. An idea that remains eternal, as it never goes out of fashion.

Translated from the original in Vogue Portugal's The Big Book of Trends, published September 2024. Full stories and credits in the print issue.