The school, first of its kind, was established in Paris almost eight years ago – in February 2012 – with the support of the high jewellery maison Van Cleef & Arpels. After three successful traveling editions in Hong Kong – debuting in 2014 – this unique learning institution is now making Hong Kong its second home and the first permanent outpost outside of Paris.
L’ÉCOLE is located over two levels at K11 Musea at Victoria Dockside, Kowloon’s new cultural-retail destination facing the Hong Kong Harbour. The space, designed by renowned Japanese architect and long-time friend of L’ÉCOLE Sou Fujimoto, plays with natural daylight and organic shapes. It comprises several classrooms and workshops, an exhibition space, a specialised library which holds over 600 books on jewellery arts, and a terrace overlooking Victoria Harbour.
L’ÉCOLE introduces the world of jewellery through three core themes: Savoir-Faire (craftsmanship), Art History of Jewellery, and The Universe of Gemstones. Courses are led by a team of passionate experts (including teachers from Paris) and are limited to a maximum of 12 students per class to emphasise personal interaction. The Savoir-Faire workshops are hands-on and allow participants to experiment and become familiar with the techniques and know-how. In Art History of Jewellery, students are able to admire exquisite antique jewellery from L’ÉCOLE patrimonial collections, while participants of The Universe of Gemstones can observe different stones using the instruments of a gemologist. Each course (there are several per theme) can be taken in any order, with no prerequisites or training required, and will be offered several times throughout the year. Suitable for everyone – all ages (workshops for children and teenagers from ages five to seventeen are also available) and backgrounds – L’ÉCOLE aims to introduce all aspects of jewellery culture to the public, and break down the barriers of a seemingly inaccessible world.
In addition to classes, L’ÉCOLE is also engaged in promoting the appreciation of jewellery through exhibitions that are free and open to the public. The current exhibition (open until February 2020) “Precious Art Deco Objects” – a century old movement which continues to be a strong inspiration today – features an astonishing display of almost 50 masterpieces from the former collection of Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan that are travelling to Asia for the first time. The majority of these masterpieces were created by the greatest Parisian jewellers of the 1920s and 1930s, such as Lacloche Frères, Cartier and Boucheron. They reflect an exquisite and refined fusion of East and West, Oriental-inspired decorative details and French savoir-faire.
L’ÉCOLE also offers a regular program of evening conversations and meetings which explore a particular subject in the rich world of jewellery from different perspectives. These convivial gatherings bring professionals, amateurs and connoisseurs together for a lively exchange.
Ultimately, L’ÉCOLE is a genuine and grandiose celebration of fine craftsmanship and the captivating world of jewellery – a universal art and form of expression that has persisted across cultures since ancient times. It is intended for anyone who seeks a better understanding of all things beautiful and is mesmerised by the eternal glittering of gemstones and precious metals.
Editor
Camila Hennessy
