Introduced in 2008, the Perlée (French for ‘beaded’) collection draws inspiration from the delicate nature of golden beads often showcased in French haute couture. The design may seem simple at first glance, but the Perlée technique is labor-intensive, requiring skilled craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail.
Perlée pieces are characterized by three defining features: golden beads, diamond motifs, and the occasional calligraphed ‘Van Cleef and Arpels.’ In order to create the distinctive Perlée design of clean, polished lines, each individual tiny golden bead must be evenly spaced, crafted, and carefully secured.
