Dubai becomes L’ÉCOLE’s fourth permanent international location alongside Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, founded in 2012 with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, opened its doors in Dubai Design District (d3) on 23 November 2023 with its inaugural exhibition, ‘Garden of Emeralds’. The presentation explores the mysteries of the coveted gemstone and runs until April 2024, building up to the launch of L’ÉCOLE’s entire programme of in-person courses and talks in the Spring.
The exhibition ‘Garden of Emeralds’ focuses on Art History of Jewelry, specifically the emerald gemstone. It includes a beautifully curated selection of luxury emerald pieces, the finest in the world. The Faiza Necklace (1929), for example, is an emerald and diamond necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels, sold to Princess Faiza of Egypt and currently in the Van Cleef & Arpels Collection. But what makes the emerald gemstone so sought after, so stunning?
Emerald and Diamond necklace 
Emerald necklace 
The Faiza Necklace
“It is really a wonder of nature,” shares Olivier Segura, managing director for Asia Pacific for L’ÉCOLE and Van Cleef & Arpels, and expert gemologist. “Because of the different elements that compose emeralds, we find this gemstone in different locations on earth. In fact, we need very specific geological processes to create an emerald. In terms of symbolism also, the green color has its appeal in different cultures around the world.”
The exhibition was unveiled in the presence of high-ranking officials, including Pierre Fayard, CEO of Richemont Middle East, India, Africa and Türkiye; Alessandro Maffi, President of Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East and India; Lise Macdonald, Global President of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, supported by Van Cleef & Arpels; Abdulla Belhoul, CEO of TECOM Group; Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of d3; and Sophie Claudel, Director of L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts, supported by Van Cleef & Arpels.
The exhibition ‘Garden of Emeralds’ is still open to the public and will remain open until 10 March 2024. Make sure to pass by and see the exhibition!
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