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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Van Clef & Arpels

Mardi 22 Janvier Van Clef and Arpels

The exhibit of Van Clef and Arpels-La art de la haute joaillerie at musee Les Arts Decoratif could not be more spectacular

The displays are inventive and entrancing if you're into diamonds and who isn't?
Believe of not while drawing the sketch for this post over French radio came Marilyn singing "Diamonds are a girl's best friend"!
400 prestigious pieces are on display dating back to Van Cleef's beginnings up to present day creations.
I loved this quote from Jacques Arpels,
'To be lucky, you have to believe in luck'.
In the West, happiness can be symbolized by a unicorn, a ladybug, a lucky star, a four leaf clover, a swallow and even a horseshoe. In Asia, happiness symbols can include a carp, a lotus-flower,a dragon and a star tortoise. Many of these symbols became VCA's iconic jewelry.
Liz wore her lucky daisy necklace to the Oscars and it brought her even more luck...
Almost as captivating as the sumptuous jewels on display were the fabulous ad campaigns for the brand over the years shown in the show catalog...
Too, too divine no?
'I've got the world on a string of pearls...wrapped around my finger...'
Too French this glamour puss being escorted round place Vendôme in front of Van Cleefs vitrine at #24.

Yet this young French girl on the Metro yesterday has the same 'je ne sait quoi' non?
The DOG COLLAR OF THE DAY - just what every girl needs French or otherwise non?
The VCA exhibit is on at Les Arts Decoratif until 10 Feb
Don't miss it!

25 comments:

  1. Oh, Carol! It looks divine! I will go before it closes. Love your sketches.

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  2. They do have the same je ne sais quoi les 2 filles:)

    Lingerie..diamonds.. quelle vie!

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  3. Och I keep meaning to put the dog collar on like this but somehow it would look a bit woofy in the metro! Glad you're having fun doing all the exhibitions, Carol. Looks wonderful.

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  4. Carol, I do like the look of that little birdy with the berries. It's obviously very precious in its gems, yet doesn't seem to take itself too seriously.

    xo

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  5. All these exhibits! Don't burn out, Carol! :-) Good thing Van Cleef & Arpels still has an attractive window display place Vendôme. This will help detract attention from the huge eyesore the Ritz façade (currently under renovation, as you know,) has turned into! Bonne semaine parisienne. Slush has melted in the rain by now, I trust? Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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    1. So much to see in Paris!
      So little time...
      Thank goodness my presse passes get me in gratui!

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  6. Stunning!
    Thank you
    Chef Ann

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  7. That portrait of a woman in a red dress!!!!! Such an unexpected pose...it's dynamite!

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  8. I've been coveting a turquoise Alhambra necklace for some time. I believe in luck, I believe in luck...

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  9. Anonymous3:44 PM

    Love your whimsical style and manner!
    Gina

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  10. Wow stunning collection carol .

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  11. Nathalia4:56 PM

    Your painting is beautiful as all of them always are

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  12. You know, I now really like your daily sketches, even on the lined paper. And speaking of lines, I love yours -- so fluid and descriptive. Nice.

    I also love the way you paired your mam'selle in the metro with the damsel doing some window shopping in the 1050s. Nice.

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  13. More wonderful sketches, Carol--yours and theirs. Thanks for sharing. I'm enjoying them all. Lots of glitz and glamour here!

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  14. Great opening sketch, and those photos of the exhibit are so stunning!
    Diamonds certainly do have a way of grabbing the eye.....

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  15. Another great Journal page. I Loved the bow and bird jewelry. Once again another fun post.

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  16. Wow, you managed to take photos in another exhibition! I´ve seen the exhibition last month and was overwhelmed by the sparkle of these pieces of jewelry.

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  17. How clever you are with that juxtaposition of the elegant women with gloved hands, then and now. I'm always amazed by your sharp observant eye!
    Looks like you're having such fun, loving your posts :)

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    1. rodrigo5:41 AM

      Really interesting. Tbh, I was under the impression that long gloves was more of a Eastern European thing these days. I too find that long gloves are utterly elegant and attractive for women, but we don't get to see that kind of stuff too often in the West anymore.

      It's always nice to people bringing back some memories of the good old days. That's the France I wish I have had the opportunity to see, the France of Charles Aznavour, Edith Piaf, Joe Dassin...

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  18. How superb it would be to see this show! Thanks for the peak Carol. How perfect that Marilyn came on your French radio to sing 'Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend'!!

    Happy New Year to you!

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  19. Anonymous12:08 PM

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  20. Anonymous12:47 AM

    I love your blog and especially your watercolors and drawings! I look forward to it and have sent it out to all my Paris loving friends. Thank you so much for bringing Paris into my home and making me crave Macaroons and all things French!
    Sylvia

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  21. Yep, I need to go and see this! Fab pics I must say

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  22. You've seen so many extraordinary things on this visit!

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