SimplyAbuDhabi XV

1 4 2 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I S uffused with enchantment, Van Cleef & Arpels’ new collection of high jewellery is inspired by a well-known fairy tale, Peau d’Âne. In its homage to the story of a young princess, the Maison has revisited several of its favourite themes: the charmed nature of feminine characters, the delicacy of couture adornments, and the language of romance. A classic fairy tale for the ages One of France’s most popular fairytales, Peau d’Âne was first brought to a wide audience in 1694 with Charles Perrault’s version. Many years later, a captivating film was made in 1970, directed by Jacques Demy and starring a resplendently costumed Catherine Deneuve. The story goes like this: once upon a time, in an enchanted castle, there lived a princess. Adored by her parents, the girl’s golden hair and sparkling eyes charmed the court. But her carefree existence was shattered by the death of the queen. Her father was lost to grief. Uncertain what to do, the princess turned to the Lilac Fairy – her beloved godmother – for help. The fairy advised the girl to run away from the castle. On hearing this, the princess hid her most precious possessions away inside a chest: her mirror, her jewels and the dresses given to her by her father. The first – a heavenly blue dappled with clouds – bore the ethereal tint of the Colour of the Sky. With its nocturnal hues, the second glowed with the Colour of theMoon. The third dress, embroidered with light, blazed with the Colour of the Sun. To disguise her regal appearance, the princess wrapped herself in an animal hide, which soon earned her the name Peau d’Âne. She soon escaped and sought shelter at a farmhouse on the other side of the forest. Busy with work, she forgot about being a princess. But once a week, she opened her trunk and admired her opulent frocks. One Sunday, the prince of a neighbouring kingdom happened by and immediately fell in love with the girl in gold and jewels. Hoping to see her again, he asked for a cake to be baked by her own hand. Daydreaming as she set to work, her emerald ring fell into the cake and was later found by the prince. Announcing he would marry only the girl who wore that ring, the prince sought her out, soon uncovering the beautiful princess beneath the animal hide and making her his bride. A F a i r y T a l e C o l l e c t i o n C o m e s t o L i f e