By Marriam M Mossalli

For FIVE years now, us Hejazi girls have had to endure the mockery of Riyadh being the first to host the renowned high jewelry French Maison Van Cleef & Arpels. October was finally our month, the inauguration of Van Cleef & Arpels debut boutique in Jeddah.
I didn’t show up fashionably late—I showed up “Saudi” late, which was great because I got to forgot the obligitary salutations and speeches and get straight to the good stuff: the jewelry! I was ushered into their VIP room, which resembles the intimacy and warmth of a Parisian apartment, and quickly began trying everything they would let me!

Bracelet Zip Annees Folles

Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson

The highlight of the evening was that I got to wear one of Van Cleef & Arpels’ gorgeous Collier Zips! It was the legendary Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, who first suggested with the playful idea in 1938 to Renée Puissant, the daughter of founder Alfred Van Cleef and Estelle Arpels, of crafting a tedious mechanism in precious materials! But unlike her character in The King’s Speech, the real duchess never got to wear one because it wasn’t until the 1950s that technology caught up with the her imagination. By then, in true Wallis form, she was completely over it!

I don’t know about you, but I’m so completely UNDER it! All I want this Eid, is a Zip necklace—and perhaps a King to abdicate his throne for me… that wouldn’t be that bad either!

-Marriam

More on Van Cleef & Arpels in Jeddah:

Marriam N Mossalli wearing V&A Zip necklace

Located in Jameel Square on Tahliya, Jeddah’s prime destination for luxury, the sumptuous 183 square meter boutique opens its doors to the most discerning clientele and offers them an array of the most exquisite and refined creations of Van Cleef & Arpels.

The interior of the boutique is designed in powdery hues of pink and mauve that blends harmoniously with contrasting shades of grey, offering a soft and sophisticated décor. Smooth textures and refined materials, including fine leather, silk and velvet together enhance the charm of the new boutique.

On the opening of the first Van Cleef & Arpels in Jeddah, Mr. Alban Belloir stated: “We are thrilled about the opening of the new Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in Saudi Arabia, the first in Jeddah, bringing the enchanting world and beautiful jewelry creations of the Maison to the city. For over a century, Van Cleef & Arpels has represented the French spirit of High Jewelry, conveying the ultimate in elegance, femininity and savoir-faire that we relish in providing to our sophisticated clientele and fine jewelry aficionados in Jeddah today.”