It’s Van Cleef & Arpels. It’s Alhambra. And now, it’s pink. Who would’ve thought this 120-year-old maison would give its most iconic creation such a rosy makeover, 58 years after the Alhambra motif first debuted in 1968? Better late than never, and never out of style. The maison is doing more than launching another color after decades of onyx, carnelian, malachite, turquoise and guilloché gold. This time, for the first time, the new Alhambra capsule arrives in translucent pink enamel, paired with yellow gold and the signature beaded gold frame. Yes, some things have remained unchanged, and thankfully so. Someone wise once said there is no need to change perfection, but this particular alteration is bound to have Van Cleef & Arpels devotees screaming with joy.
The collection, set to launch in September, will feature a pendant, Vintage Alhambra bracelet, necklace, Alhambra long necklace and Magic Alhambra earrings. The pieces quite literally flaunt bubbles in their design. The microbubbles were deliberately retained to build depth into the enamel, ensuring no two motifs look exactly alike. Moreover, each motif carries a gentle convex curve that broadens the reflected light across the face of the clover. It also aligns with the Alhambra philosophy of using hardstones and natural shell materials that carry their own scarcity and natural irregularities. This way, although the star material is manufactured rather than mined, the finished result stays true to the collection’s enduring philosophy.
It’s also a welcome diversion from the subtle neutrals of mother-of-pearl, whites and blacks, or the muted warmth of carnelian. Those who’ve amassed a healthy collection of Alhambra classics can now go boldly in a completely new direction, with the glossy finish, rich translucency and delicate bubbles adding another layer of personality. After nearly six decades of classics, Alhambra has finally learned to blush.
