Van Cleef & Arpels-backed L’Ecole, School of Jewelry Arts opens at first Middle-East location in Dubai

The Paris-based school aims to introduce the contemporary relevance of jewellery as a historical form of cultural expression. At its first Middle East location, it will offer an in-depth program of online and in-person talks, seminars and temporary exhibitions

Dubai: A range of gems will soon be on display at the inaugural exhibition of L’École Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts at its new permanent location in Dubai Design District (d3).

The “Garden of Emeralds” exhibition has been designed to deep-dive into the rich history, heritage, and little-known facts and secrets about the magnificent titular jewel to the public.  The exhibition has also been organized to celebrate the expansion of L’École, School of Jewelry Arts to the Middle East. It was originally founded in Paris in 2012 with support from the French luxury jewellery company Van Cleef & Arpels.

L’École already has two permanent campuses in Paris, one in Hong Kong, which opened in 2019, and another in Shanghai, which opened earlier this year.

Lise MacDonald, President, L’École, School of Jewelry Arts, explained that the decision to open another location in Dubai was spurred by the success of its travelling school sessions organized over the past few years in the Middle East. The School of Jewelry Arts observed an uptick in interest from the region, which has also witnessed a significant rise in the number of jewellery designers over the past decade.

“When we opened the first school in Paris in 2012, jewellery, at the time, was considered a true work of art by only a few people,” she said. “The CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels, Nicolas Boos decided to create a school that would show to the visitors and audiences at large the relevance of jewellery as a form of cultural expression from various historical eras,” MacDonald added.

MacDonald noted that jewellery was one of the very first art forms to exist and has taken several shapes through history — human beings have been adorning their bodies with various objects for ritualistic or aesthetic purposes.

“Jewellery, as one of the first forms of artistic expression, is relevant to people across the world,” she added. “The mission of the school is to spread the world of jewelry to people across the world and generate the largest possible public interest everywhere.” 

L’École in Dubai, like its other locations, is open to all — catering to beginners as well as connoisseurs and collectors or those who are simply curious to learn more about jewellery. It will offer an in-depth program of online and in-person talks, as well as temporary exhibitions such as “The Garden of Emeralds,” which runs from Nov. 23 to March 10, and publications and research projects.  

While Van Cleef & Arpels is its main partner, L’École showcases work from all jewellery brands.

Sophie Claudel, Director, L’École Middle East, School of Jewellery Arts, explained how the multicultural and cosmopolitan nature of Dubai provided fertile ground for the opening of a jewellery school that thrives on diversity and inclusivity. “Jewellery is an intrinsic part of Middle Eastern heritage,” she said, adding that L’École in Dubai will offer a variety of courses, seminars, and at least two exhibitions per year. There will also be a bookstore and a library.  

“We want to provide an anchor for people in the region who love jewellery and for those desiring to know and engage more in the world of jewellery,” she said. 

Courtesy: arabnews.com