A Fantastical Tale Elegantly Woven with Exquisite Gems

The new high jewelry collection "Pau D'Aline" from Van Cleef & Arpels is a romantic masterpiece inspired by the beloved French fairy tale "Donkey Skin." An homage to the young princess, the protagonist of the story, the collection features elegant jewels that represent the beauty of women, nature, and delicate couture.

—Could you tell us about the inspiration behind the "Pau D'Aline" high jewelry collection, which draws from the fairy tale "Donkey Skin"?

"Donkey Skin," by Charles Perrault, is a fairy tale cherished in France for centuries. In 1970, Jacques Demy directed a film adaptation titled "Donkey Skin," which captivated audiences of all ages with its stellar cast including Catherine Deneuve, exquisite costumes, and imaginative music. It is, of course, a favorite of mine as well. The fantastical story is filled with many symbols of love and romance. We wanted to express that feminine and poetic world through Van Cleef & Arpels, and that became the inspiration for the "Pau D'Aline" jewelry collection.

—For the "Pau D'Aline" collection, which explores the themes of "Childhood in the Castle," "Enchanted Forest," and "Happy Marriage," what were the key considerations during its creation?

"Pau D'Aline" is an exceptionally intricate collection. Take, for example, the clips symbolizing the princess's dresses: "The Sky-Blue Dress," "The Sun-Yellow Dress," and "The Moon-White Dress." First, the designs are conceived. Based on these designs, models are created, and the flowing, supple movement of the dresses and the princess's posture are meticulously examined and reproduced from both the front and the back.

They were crafted with great care, infused with the skills of our artisans, whom we call "mains d'or" (golden hands). The selection of gemstones is also a crucial element of the collection. While we insist on the highest quality in terms of clarity, brilliance, and cut, we also choose stones that reflect the spirit of the pieces and are fitting for telling the story. In this way, we imbue each piece of jewelry with the Maison's vision.

Page02.Our Jewelry is Born from a Dialogue Between Art and Culture

Our Jewelry is Born from a Dialogue Between Art and Culture

—What is important to you when creating jewelry?

At Van Cleef & Arpels, where we cherish a poetic world, our jewelry is designed with inspiration drawn from art, culture, nature, and dance. Prior to the "Pau D'Aline" collection, we presented jewelry inspired by the literary works "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Shakespeare and "Around the World in Eighty Days" by Jules Verne. Our jewelry is always born from a dialogue between art and culture. I believe this spirit reflects the Maison's tradition and history.

—How do you feel about your appointment as President of Japan?