048 VIRGIN AUSTRALIA MAY 2017
WORDSGEORGINA SAFESTYLE
The Van Cleef & Arpels flagship store on Place
Vendôme in Paris is a glittering monument to the
remarkable creations and untold riches of the fine
jewellery house. The boutique, in the world’s most
reputable location for purveyors of luxury jewels,
has long attracted connoisseurs of diamonds,
rubies, emeralds and more, but it can be a little
dificult to get to from Australia.
While the high-end jewellers established
an outlet in Melbourne last year, the wonders
of the Parisian company have now come a step
closer for Sydneysiders, with the opening of a Van
Cleef & Arpels boutique on Castlereagh Street
in Sydney’s CBD (below). A highlight of the new
store is the 1906 Room, namedater the year
the brand was founded, which houses a rotating
selection of heritage and museum pieces.
The new Sydney flagship is the first Van
Cleef & Arpels boutique to incorporate
a 1906 Room — a concept that
will be rolled out across the
globe. The hexagonal shape
of the room’s interior has
been designed to recall
the geometry of
Paris’s iconic Place
Vendôme.www.
vancleefarpels.com.How did you come up with
the idea to start Sambag?
I was initially inspired by a trip
to New York. Kate Spade had
launched a collection and I was
mesmerised by her cool fabric
bags and styles. I thought, why
not do something of my own?
When I returned to Sydney,
I opened a stall at Paddington
Markets selling three styles:
a satin shopper tote, a mini
crocodile leather bag and
a metallic shoulder bag. I then
ventured into shoe wear, and
later, apparel. And now, two
decades on, I have five stores
and a thriving online boutique.
What type of customer does
your brand appeal to? It’s for
the woman on the go who
invests in on-trend pieces
that can be worn season ater
season. She knows what shewants and needs practical
yet stylish outfits to fit in
with her schedule.
To what do you attribute
your success and longevity?
My designs are classic and
timeless investment pieces,
which will last a lifetime.
I always try to add a fun
twist in the mix depending
on the trends for the season.
What inspired you to create
your latest collection? The
AW17 collection (above) was
inspired by a trip to New York,
my original source of inspiration
more than 20 years ago.
What do you love about what
you do? Designing clothing for
women of all age groups. I love
to make women feel good in
their own skin and confident
in what they are wearing.
http://www.sambag.com.au.After more than 20 years in the business, Sam Wagner shares
her thoughts on the enduring appeal of her label Sambag.The French jeweller arrives in Sydney.Five minutes with...
Open for Business:
Van Cleef & ArpelsPICTURED Van Cleef & Arpels
‘Bouton D’or’ necklace, POA;Van
Cleef & Arpels ‘Frivole’ between-
the-finger ring, $28,000.