required in all aspects of producing this otherwise
simple-looking collection of jewellery.
The event gave us the opportunity to meet
journalist Nicholas Foulkes, who wrote a book, also
titled Alhambra, detailing the history, emergence
and significance of the collection, as well the
directing duo Burcu & Geoffrey, illustrator Julie
Joseph, and photographers Sonia Sieff and Damian
Foxe, all of whom were commissioned by Van
Cleef & Arpels to express through their respective
mediums their interpretations of luck and the
iconic Alhambra collection.
The event culminated in an awe-inspiring dinner
at the ruins of the 16th-century El Badi Palace,
which was built for Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur of
the Saadian dynasty. The flickering light of 10,000
candles greeted us on arrival at the palace’s vast
inner courtyard, where a dinner of traditional
Moroccan fare created by Chef Alléno was served
as we were serenaded by Swedish singer/songwriter
Peter von Poehl and French singer Marie Modiano.
In the tight circles of high jewellery, Van Cleef
& Arpels is known for its epic events, and this one
was no exception. I certainly was one very lucky
monkey to have landed this gig.ODE TO A TALISMAN
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