How Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra Became A Fashion Statement
Celebrating luck has been part of the maison’s DNA for more than a century but in 1968, a stroke of good fortune changed the history of jewellery.
Lucky charm
“To be lucky, you have to believe in luck” has been a guiding principle of legendary French jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels, which opened its first boutique in 1906 at 22 Place Vendôme in Paris. The quote is attributed to Jacques Arpels, the nephew of founders Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels, who gathered four-leaf clovers in his garden, presenting them to staff as encouragement to never give up hope – a sentiment that resonates today.
A new dawn
During the 1960s and ’70s, favour turned towards jewellery that was more accessible and easy to wear, reflecting the spirit of the times. Cue the Alhambra long necklace, created in 1968: symmetrical four-leaf-clover charms set at intervals along a chain.
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Fan club
It didn’t take long for the most stylish women of the time to discover the new design, which felt both modern and elegant. French singer Françoise Hardy was photographed wearing two of the necklaces and actress Romy Schneider wore Alhambra in the 1974 film Le Mouton Enragé. But perhaps the most famous devotee was Princess Grace of Monaco, who wore her long necklaces in the 1970s.
From little things…
The Alhambra collection has grown and renewed itself, always utilising natural materials, bold colours and different-sized motifs. Made with mother-of-pearl, carnelian, malachite, lapis lazuli, onyx, turquoise or diamonds, set in rose-, white- or yellowgold and framed by a delicate beaded border, each piece calls on the skills of master lapidaries, jewellers, stonesetters and polishers.
About time
Van Cleef & Arpels has released four secret watch pendants inspired by the four-leaf-clover Alhambra motif, concealing a quartz movement behind a pivoting ornamental motif. We suggest wearing your luck close to your heart.
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage
Alhambra 20-motif long necklace in white-gold, onyx and diamonds/ $96,000.
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