Dubai has become the fourth permanent international location of the L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, alongside Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Founded in 2012 with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, the L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts concept has helps to create a global community, offering courses and experiences to educate talented creatives in the fields of jewellery and arts.
The newly opened Dubai brand is located in Dubai Design District (d3), and will feature a programme of in-person talks as part of its opening season this spring. To mark the opening an inaugural exhibition, Garden of Emeralds will explore the mysteries of the coveted gemstone. Garden of Emeralds which will run until April 2024, was opened in the presence of high-ranking officials, including Pierre Fayard, CEO of Richemont Middle East, India, Africa and Türkiye; Alessandro Maffi, President of Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East and India; Lise Macdonald, Global President of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.
Commenting on the opening in d3, Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District – part of TECOM Group PJSC, says: “Strategic partnerships are essential to the growth of d3 and Dubai’s creative community and economy. L’ÉCOLE’s opening in our district is a result of this commitment, and it represents the growing learning opportunities and platforms available to creatives in d3, whether they are enthusiasts or professionals. The school will bring exceptional new creative experiences, expertise and talent to our community and region, furthering the ambitions of the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. We are eager to continue attracting world-class creative companies from the world over and secure Dubai as the global address for the creative industry.”
L’ÉCOLE promotes jewellery culture through a rich programme of in-person courses and talks for beginners and collectors, along with free temporary exhibitions, publications and research programmes. Its new Dubai campus is created by the renowned multidisciplinary French designer and interior architect, Constance Guisset.
Starting Spring 2024, L’ÉCOLE will present hands-on workshops and insightful courses led by a rotating body of lecturers, including art historians, gemmologists, jewellers and craftspeople. Its courses will be open to all, for adults and children. Enthusiasts can also look forward to monthly online talks open to the public for free.
