Van Cleef & Arpels Officially Launch In New Zealand
Van Cleef & Arpels celebrates its first flagship boutique in Auckland.
Nov 3, 2022
The Van Cleef & Arpels Queen Street, Auckland boutique opened earlier this year and has now had an official launch attended by the brand’s APAC President, Nicolas Luchsinger.
Van Cleef & Arpels, renowned French High Jewellery Maison since 1906, has this week celebrated its launch in Aotearoa, New Zealand, with an event that turned the Auckland Art Gallery into the Maison’s very own enchanted universe, inspired by Nature and developed in collaboration with Alexandre Benjamin Navet, as an artistic collaboration for the opening launch.
The Van Cleef & Arpels expansion into New Zealand represents another milestone in strengthening the Maison’s presence in Oceania. We are so happy to be able to present our creations and to welcome our clients in a boutique experience that brings to this city the enchanting world of Van Cleef & Arpels,” says Nicolas Luchsinger, President of Van Cleef & Arpels Asia-Pacific.
The New Zealand flagship welcomes guests into a harmonious space, echoing the Maison's founding sources of inspiration. Numerous details such as soft lines and precious materials outline a poetic atmosphere in a tribute to nature, making the Maison's boutique unique; like a delicate and splendid jewellery box, elegant and mysterious; yet warm and comfortable.
The Queen Street boutique houses Van Cleef & Arpels’ iconic creations that are testament to the Maison’s rich history such as Alhambra and Perlée collections, In Between the Finger rings, Ballerina and fairy clips, timepieces, wedding and engagement rings.
Van Cleef & Arpels' boutique on Auckland’s Queen Street inherits the layout of the Maison’s beloved ‘French apartment’. The wooden materials are matched with soft carpets, sofas and curtains, allowing visitors to enjoy an exclusive experience while having a cozy, home-like feeling. Flowers, birds and patterns of nature embellish the space, echoing Van Cleef & Arpels’ primary source of inspiration, with de Gournay's exquisite hand-painted wallpaper, accompanied by a Murano glass chandelier adding to the store a luxurious feel.
The facade of the New Zealand boutique reveals precious historical details, through inspiration from the famous Minaudière. This iconic precious object has become a jewellery accessory in its own right and forever illustrates Van Cleef & Arpels’ vision of elegance. Created by the Maison in 1933, Charles Arpels drew inspiration from American socialite Florence Jay Gould.
After watching her carelessly stow her worldly accessories in a simple metal box, Charles Arpels came up with the idea of perfecting the vanity case, a highly popular piece of finery in the 1920s. Alfred Van Cleef dubbed this new creation "Minaudière” after the name of the family estate outside of Paris. The Maison has reinterpreted this emblem’s patterned lines through black engraved techniques on the facade of the store.