Fashion SL's: Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef and Arpels

While in New York, I went to the Set in Style: The Jewelry of Van Cleef and Arpels exhibit at the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.

Can I just say: Good Gracious. Holy Moly. Absolutely amazing. Magnificent. …and on and on…

I have always loved Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry, especially vintage pieces and to see them (so many of them – as in over 350!) on display was a magnificent Silver Lining! In fact, it is the most comprehensive collection ever assembled. Incredible.

The exhibit is organized around six themes:

Innovation

madeleine Vionnet — Mystery-Set Bouquet Brooch, 1937

Transformation

Ballerina (Camargo) Brooch, 1942 — Ballerina Carmago Brooch, 1942. This piece is based on a painting in the Wallace Collection in London by French artist Nicolas Lancret showing an eighteenth-century French dancer.

Nature as Inspiration

Exoticism

Tassel Sautoir, 1930. One of my favorite pieces in the exhibit.

Fashion

VCA Art Deco Brooch circa 1920s — Art Deco Brooch, circa 1928

VCA Art Deco Brooch, 1928 — Art Deco Brooch, 1928

Personalities

Elizabeth Taylor's Lamartine Bracelet, 1970. My second favorite piece in the exhibit!

If you are in New York, I hope that you have the opportunity to see this incredible, Silver Lined exhibit!

These gems have life in them: their colors speak, say what words fail of.

~George Eliot

All photos from Cooper Hewitt.

2 comments

While I love your blogs on fashion, THIS blog is speaking my language! Art Deco is me. The compact is fabulous! The brooch is devine! Ahhh to have been there and seen them in person . . .

I've not been able to be with you (the blogs) for about a week . . . I'm now caught up. Know that you are in my daily prayers and loved.

Still sending you Texas sunshine and love!
Diana

Fabulous! I can't wait to go!!

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