In 1970, when Jacques Demy directed “Peau d’âne” with Catherine Deneuve and Jean Marais in the title roles, he had no idea that forty years later his film would give birth to a marvellous and dreamlike collection of high jewellery. The collection was presented by Van Cleef and Arpels at the Château de Chambord (which was one of the film’s shooting locations ) a few days ago!
The theme of this collection has its roots in the film restoration project led by Jacques Demy’s family: Agnès and Rosalie Varda and Mathieu Demy. Already in 2003, a first stage of conservation had been accomplished with the restoration of the original negative. But this time, in order to preserve the film and to be able to screen it in more pleasant conditions, the negative was digitised. This was a delicate but also expensive operation for which the French jewellery house Van Cleef and Arpels was a partner.
It is therefore a collection in the image of the film, rich in colour and enchanting that the house offers us. As usual, the workshops have done a magnificent job from the design to the final conception of the pieces, including the selection of gems of impeccable quality. The collection is divided into three chapters: “Childhood in the castle”, “The forest” and finally “The wedding”. Let’s discover some of the pieces!
Enchanted Castle” clip (Childhood) made of white gold, diamonds, coloured sapphires, emeralds, including the central stone. The central stone, of Brazilian origin, weighs 39.85 carats. Photo: VCA
Pair of “Château enchanté” (Childhood) earrings in white gold, diamonds, Tahitian pearls and coloured sapphires. Photo: VCA
Necklace “Robe couleur du temps” (L’enfance) in white gold, diamonds, tourmalines, sapphires and aquamarines including 12 pears for a total of 129.87 carats. Photo : VCA
Ring “Robe couleur du temps” (L’enfance) made of white gold, diamonds, tourmalines and aquamarines including the central stone, a marquise of 9.88 carats. Photo : VCA
Pair of “Robe couleur du temps” earrings in white gold, diamonds, tourmalines, sapphires and aquamarines. The centres, two perfectly matched pears, total 24.13 carats. Photo: VCA
Amour, amour” ring in white gold, diamonds, tourmalines and purple spinels. The centrepiece is a 28.06-carat emerald cabochon (from Zambia). Photo: VCA
Protection féérique” bracelet in white and pink gold. It is set with diamonds, coral cabochons and coloured sapphires. The centrepiece is a 13.52 carat pink sapphire from Sri Lanka. Photo: VCA
Piou-piou” (The forest) brooch in white and pink gold, diamonds, red and pink coral cabochons, coloured sapphires and spessartite garnets. Photo: VCA
The “Robe couleur du temps”, “Robe couleur de la lune” and “Robe couleur du soleil” brooches (La forêt). They are made of white and yellow gold, diamonds, tourmalines, turquoise and coloured sapphires. Photo : VCA
Ring “Gâteau d’amour” (The forest) made of white and yellow gold and diamonds. The centrepiece is an emerald from Zambia weighing 4.48 carats. Photo: VCA
Clip “Red Prince” (The Wedding) made of white and pink gold, diamonds, red coral and coloured sapphires. The centrepiece is a 2.25 carat Brazilian emerald. Photo: VCA
Ring “Cadeau d’orient” (The wedding) made of yellow and white gold, diamonds, red coral, turquoise, emeralds. The centre is a 5.15 carat Sri Lankan sapphire. Photo: VCA.
If you want to know more about this superb collection, I can only advise you to discover the animation created by Van Cleef and Arpels on its website and to let yourself be carried away by the careful direction and the music that accompanies it.
The film “Peau d’Âne” directed by Jacques Demy, and now restored, is back in theatres. I invite you to go and enjoy this new version and to follow the dream a little more…
See you soon!
