L’ÉCOLE, The School of Jewelry Arts is back in Hong Kong for its third edition. Supported by the Paris-based fine jewellery brand Van Cleef & Arpels, the school will offer seminars on the craft and aesthetics of jewellery making.
The two-week program of classes aims to enlighten and inspire anyone interested in getting a better emotional and intellectual understanding of fine jewellery. From design to mock up, and wax projects to setting techniques, fine jewellery requires decades of practice in order to achieve the necessary level of craftsmanship and artistry.
Since its inception in 2012 in Paris, the nomadic school has flown a team of passionate industry experts, historians and gemologists to Tokyo, New York and Hong Kong. Everyone over the age of 5 is welcome, and L’ÉCOLE brings people from all backgrounds together to explore the craft through personal experiences and interactive discussions. “It’s really the idea of transmission which is so important, and this initiative enables transmission with a new generation,” said Nicolas Bos, president and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels, in a conversation with Zolima CityMag earlier this month.
After its successful Hong Kong debut in 2014, and a well-received follow-up edition, L’ÉCOLE will be back in PMQ’s The Qube from September 16 to October 1, 2017, with a new curriculum consisting of several courses broken up in three main categories. Those eager to take a seat at the jeweller’s bench can sign up to the Savoir-Faire courses. Students will get to explore the intricacy and complexity of making gouaché, the technically detailed two-dimensional rendering of a piece of fine jewellery that guides all experts involved in each single step of the making of the final piece.
Students will also discover the taste and style of certain historical periods through the story of exquisite pieces of jewellery in the Art History of Jewelry, or learn about the vibrant style of the Art Nouveau period that witnessed a surge in incredible innovative creativity in the previous century. The Universe of Gemstones are hands-on courses that are catered to jewellery fans keen on learning to identify and distinguish precious stones and how to manipulate them, with a special class that will uncover the mystery of the diamond.
In addition to the courses and creative workshops, L’ÉCOLE will play host to a series of evening conversations in order to give jewellery enthusiasts the opportunity to learn from experts about the art of collecting jewellery, or gain more knowledge about Asian pearls or stones of fire.
“The classes really deepened my appreciation for the art of jewellery making, as I learnt that every part in the process — for example setting the stones — required years or even decades of expertise to master the skill,” says Jane Woo, who took the classes in Paris last year and will take more in September in Hong Kong. “It was really a very rewarding experience to get a glimpse into the work behind the scenes and get a hands on-feel as well.”
L’ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts courses will be available from September 16 to October 1, 2017. Interested parties can also visit the free open day on September 17, from 9:00-18:30.
For more information, to book a course or attend a lecture, please click here.
You may also contact +852 2532 7259 hklecole@vancleefarpels.com
