Ayyix1: The Jewelry Of Van Cleef & Arpels

Sparkles.

Several celebrities attended the opening gala for "Set In Style: The Jewelry Of Van Cleef & Arpels" at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York City. We got invited to a press review and breakfast to view the exhibit and never made it due to show commitments, but now we're kind of wishing we had. Not that we think any of these celebs were going to be there, but the jewelry is just breathtaking. No INs or OUTs on this one, we just thought you'd like to look at all the sparkly.

Cate Blanchett in Balenciaga

Kelly Rutherford

Marisa Berenson

Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef & Arpels February 18–June 5, 2011

"Since its opening on the Place Vendôme in Paris in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels has played a leading role in style and design innovation. Its timeless pieces have been worn by style icons including the Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. This exhibition will explore the historical significance of the firm's contributions to jewelry design in the 20th century, including the establishment of Van Cleef & Arpels in New York with the advent of World War II. On view will be more than 350 works including jewels, timepieces, fashion accessories and objets d'art by Van Cleef & Arpels, many of which were created exclusively for the American market. The exhibition will examine the work through the lenses of innovation, transformation, nature as inspiration, exoticism, fashion and personalities, and will include design drawings from the Van Cleef & Arpels archives."

Some of the pieces from the exhibition:

Bouquet brooch
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
Paris, France, ca. 1937
Platinum, Mystery Set rubies, diamonds
California Collection

Kikumakie brooch
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
Paris, France, and Japan, 2004
Yellow gold, wood, lacquer, diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Camargo brooch
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
New York, NY, 1942
Platinum, diamonds, rubies, emeralds
Private Collection

Snowflake brooch
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
Paris, France, 1948
Yellow gold, diamonds, platinum
Courtesy of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf

Peony brooch
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
Paris, France, 1937
Gold, platinum, diamonds, Mystery Set rubies
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Lace Bow Knot brooch
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
Paris, France, 1945
Yellow gold, platinum, diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Roses nécessaire
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
Paris, France, 1926
Gold, mauve jade, rubies, enamel, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Manchette (cuff) bracelet/necklace owned by Daisy Fellowes
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
Paris, France, 1926 (bracelet), 1928 (second bracelet to form necklace)
Platinum, emeralds, diamonds
California Collection

Egyptian bracelet
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
Paris, France, ca. 1924
Emeralds, rubies, sapphires, diamonds, platinum
Courtesy of Primavera Gallery, New York

Jarretière bracelet owned by Marlene Dietrich
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
Paris, France, ca. 1937
Diamonds, rubies, platinum
Courtesy of Private Collection, New York

Indu Necklace owned by Maharani of Baroda
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
Paris, France, 1950
Diamonds, emeralds, platinum
Maharani of Baroda
Van Cleef & Arpels’ Collection

Padlock watch owned by Paulette Goddard
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
New York, NY, 1940
Diamonds, platinum
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Scylla necklace with detachable clip
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
Paris, France, 2008
Diamonds, white gold
Courtesy of Private Collection

Necklace with pendant owned by Begum Aga Khan
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
Paris, France, 1971
Yellow gold, carved emeralds, diamonds
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Brooch/pendant of bird and briolette diamond owned by Ganna Walska
Designed by Van Cleef & Arpels
New York, NY, 1971
Yellow gold, sapphires, yellow diamonds (briolette 95 carats), white diamonds
Bird brooch and detachable briolette and wings
Courtesy of Private Collection