A bit of fantastic jewellery or traditional funding timepiece isn’t simply an adjunct—there’s at all times a wealthy story behind it. In W’s new sequence Rock Stars, we delve into what makes previous, current, and future heirlooms so distinctive.

In early June, shortly after the Cannes Movie Pageant ended, the seaside metropolis continued to brim with vitality. As pink carpets have been rolled up for subsequent 12 months and A-list actors decamped to their summer time houses, jewellery specialists and editors from throughout the globe descended upon the South of France to rejoice the disclosing of the brand new Perlée jewellery assortment from Van Cleef & Arpels.

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Like its title, which interprets to beaded in English, Perlée is distinguished by its spherical, golden beads. The motif has lengthy been integral to Van Cleef, having existed on the home’s creations in numerous types because the Twenties. First used to emphasise designs or define the borders of a stone, the round shapes have been then featured in plenty of vital Van Cleef collections. From Couscous and Bagatelle in 1948, which consisted of beads in numerous sizes, to Twist within the Nineteen Sixties, a playful braided assortment that mixed gold with coral, turquoise, and cultured pearls. In 1968, the fragile golden spheres turned a vital a part of the still-iconic Alhambra assortment.

But it surely wasn’t till 2008 that the Maison launched Perlée. Its orderly traces of beads are produced from treasured metals—rose, white, and yellow gold—utilizing a misplaced wax-casting method. They’re then reworked individually by hand and combined with treasured stones, mom of pearl, and coral. The gathering, having acquired a number of updates and new iterations over time, has change into a playful favourite of the home.

Its most up-to-date unveiling was held on the Palais Bulles—the world well-known bubble-like residence of the late designer Pierre Cardin. With its curving, round modules, rounded swimming pools, and bespoke, up to date furnishings, it was a becoming location that echoed the spherical assortment.

The jewellery that was on view, and is now accessible for buy, is joyful and full of life in spirit. 5 new rings, impressed by an archival design from 1968, are adorned with golden beads and have vibrant, decorative stones. A duet of open cuff bracelets in yellow gold and diamonds, with coral or lapis lazuli cabochons, obtain a stability of lighthearted magnificence. And for the primary time since its creation in 2008, the gathering additionally options coloured treasured stones on a set of three glowing rings.

One other first for Perlée is the addition of watches that includes delicate spherical faces, surrounded by rows of golden beads that sit daintily on an enthralling grosgrain strap.

To buy and study extra about Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée assortment go to vancleefarpels.com.