Van Cleef & Arpels

Brand Portrait: Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels: Fragrant jewels from France's noble jewelery forge

For more than a century, it has represented the elegance, charm and passion of the art of jewelery in France: the Maison Van Cleef & Arpels. Opened in 1906 on the famous Place Vendôme in Paris, the actual cornerstone of the house was laid in 1895, when Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels got married in Paris. The sealing of their love brought the world the most beautiful pieces of jewelry in the decades that followed.

From the very beginning, Van Cleef & Arpels' concept has been to create extraordinary pieces of jewelry full of grace and elegance. Today, more than a century and countless jewelry creations, necklaces, rings, watches, bags and bracelets later, Van Cleef & Arpels is a global brand with boutiques around the world - from New York to Sydney to Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Nevertheless, the roots of the Maison are still unmistakably in France; and right there, in the motherland of beautiful fragrances, Van Cleef & Arpels expanded into another luxury profession in 1976 with the legendary perfume First: that of haute perfumery.

Van Cleef & Arpels: How it all began

Van Cleef & Arpels is a French luxury company for jewelry, watches and perfume. It was founded by Charles Arpels and his brother-in-law Alfred Van Cleef in 1896. The two opened their first store in 1906 on the prestigious Place Vendôme. They gained notoriety for their use of gemstones and their expertise and innovation in stone-setting techniques.

With a variety of unique fragrances, the Collection Extraordinaire reinterprets the most beautiful natural ingredients of perfumery. Aromas of citrus fruits, spring and exotic flowers and woody fragrances pay homage to the poetry of nature.

The Van Cleef and Arpels empire expanded to include several boutiques between 1909 and 1939. In 1942, the Arpels family emigrated to the United States and opened its first American boutique in New York. The company eventually expanded into Asia and remained under the direction and management of family members until 1999, when it was acquired by Compagnie Financière Richemont S.A.

The story behind the Van Cleef & Arpels perfumes

Van Cleef & Arpels is a love story - a love story expressed in fine jewels and in exquisite fragrances. It began when Dutch craftsman Alfred Van Cleef - an expert in cutting precious stones - fell in love with Estelle Arpels, the daughter of a dealer in gems.

But they shared more than youthful enthusiasm, a passion for jewelry and a taste for taking on a challenge: They enjoyed constant family support. Alfred Van Cleef formed a partnership with his brother-in-law Charles Arpels and soon with Julien Arpels. In 1906, they opened their doors to the Parisian elite at Place Vendôme. Today, Place Vendôme is still home to the largest jewelry stores in the world - and Van Cleef & Arpels can be found at No. 22 on this landmarked square, in a stunningly redesigned boutique.

Times change, but the creative spirit of Van Cleef & Arpels remains and expresses itself in five themes that have become synonymous with the brand: Nature, Couture, Art Deco, 'Transformation' - and, with a touch of feminine whimsy, the world of fairies and ballerinas.

Over the last century, roses, palm leaves, butterflies and lyra birds have been incorporated into Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry - often through the technologically innovative invisible "mystery setting."

Situated in the heart of the Parisian couture world, Van Cleef & Arpels has embraced the world of fashion and fine fabrics, creating the effect of seamless embroidery with sapphires and diamonds, clasps that recreate a delicate mist of gauze, or a "zipper" whose teeth are baguette-cut diamonds.

Product recommendations - Van Cleef & Arpels

Here we present some references suitable to get to know Van Cleef & Arpels.

First Eau de Parfum

This perfume is truly a classic! Sometime in the seventies, Jacques Arpels had a completely new idea. To design and market the first jeweler's fragrance. Perfumes emphasize feminine beauty and seduction. Not unlike jewels, perfumes are an ornament, invisible yet compelling. This was one of the first ideas created in 1976.

The elegant shape of the bottle is crowned by a bow, reminiscent of an earring from the Snowflake High Jewelry collection. The nose behind the fragrance First is Jean-Claude Ellena.

Top notes: Aldehydes, bergamot, blackcurrant, peach, mandarin, raspberry

Heart notes: Narcissus, hiacynth, jasmine, lily of the valley, carnation, ylang-ylang, orris root, tuberose, Turkish rose, orchid

Base notes: Civet, oakmoss, honey, sandalwood, amber, musk, vetiver, tonka bean, vanilla

Collection Extraordinaire - California Reverie

Van Cleef & Arpel 's Collection Extraordinaire is an exquisite collection of rare and luxurious couture perfumes. The beauty of nature, which is always an important source of inspiration for Van Cleef & Arpels High Jewellery, is elemental to these compositions. California Rêverie is characterized by the sun-kissed essence of jasmine. A fresh and sparkling opening of mandarin and neroli with a rich floral heart of Indian sambac jasmine and frangipani. The finish is sensual and sumptuous, evoking a ray of sunshine that soothes and warms the skin.

Collection Extraordinaire - Ambre Impérial

Ambre Impérial is a spicy amber fragrance for men and women. Ambre Impérial was launched in 2015. The nose behind this fragrance is Quentin Bisch.

Top notes: Pink pepper and bergamot

Heart notes: Amber, tonka bean, vanilla and benzoin

Base notes: woodsy notes

Collection Extraordinaire - Santal Blanc

Santal Blanc is a floral-woody musky fragrance for men and women. Symbolizing purity, softness and perfect balance, white is a truly inspiring theme for Van Cleef & Arpels' Collection Extraordinaire, whose values are based on minimalism and olfactory excellence. Combined with a note of fig milk and a delicate powdery musk, its trail contains a delicate dependency and a velvety texture for a wonderful sandalwood fragrance.

Closing words on Van Cleef & Arpels perfumes

The entire collection of fascinating Van Cleef & Arpels fragrances is loved by celebrities, royalty and fashionable men and women around the world. The fragrance have a long history, but even nowadays the perfume brand is a real hit and known worldwide!

Order Van Cleef & Arpels at Essenza Nobile

Order perfume by Van Cleef & Arpels or products by other high-end perfume brands via internet delivery in our online shop Essenza Nobile! (Price for all items including VAT). We conveniently deliver your favorite Van Cleef & Arpels fragrance to your door.