Dubai, UAE, 23 November 2023:  L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelery Arts, founded in 2012 with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, opens its doors in Dubai Design District (d3), a global creative ecosystem and member of TECOM Group PJSC, with its inaugural exhibition, Garden of Emeralds. The presentation explores the mysteries of the coveted gemstone and runs until April 2024, building up to the launch of L’ÉCOLE’s entire programme of in-person courses and talks in the Spring.  

The exhibition was unveiled in the presence of high-ranking officials, including Pierre Fayard, CEO of Richemont Middle East, India, Africa and Türkiye; Alessandro Maffi, President of Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East and India; Lise Macdonald, Global President of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, supported by Van Cleef & Arpels; Abdulla Belhoul, CEO of TECOM Group; Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of d3; and Sophie Claudel, Director of L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts, supported by Van Cleef & Arpels.

L’ÉCOLE promotes jewellery culture through a rich programme of in-person courses and talks for beginners and collectors, along with free temporary exhibitions, publications and research programmes. Its new Dubai campus is created by the renowned multidisciplinary French designer and interior architect, Constance Guisset.

Commenting on the opening in d3, Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District – part of TECOM Group PJSC, says: “Strategic partnerships are essential to the growth of d3 and Dubai’s creative community and economy. L’ÉCOLE’s opening in our district is a result of this commitment, and it represents the growing learning opportunities and platforms available to creatives in d3, whether they are enthusiasts or professionals. The school will bring exceptional new creative experiences, expertise and talent to our community and region, furthering the ambitions of the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. We are eager to continue attracting world-class creative companies from the world over and secure Dubai as the global address for the creative industry.”

L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts joins a dynamic and global creative ecosystem at d3 where leading creative businesses, talent and entrepreneurs worldwide connect, create and inspire. The district is securing Dubai’s influence in the global creative sector through flagship events, including Dubai Design Week and the official Dubai Fashion Week, helping reinforce Dubai as a UNESCO Creative City of Design. The creative ecosystem provides world-class infrastructure, flexible business solutions and enabling platforms to empower the complete creative community.

L’ÉCOLE’s new presence in the UAE will mark the fourth permanent L’ÉCOLE campus after Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Starting Spring 2024, L’ÉCOLE will present hands-on workshops and insightful courses led by a rotating body of lecturers, including art historians, gemmologists, jewellers and craftspeople. Its courses will be open to all, for adults and children. Enthusiasts can also look forward to monthly online talks open to the public for free. 

For further information on courses, workshops and exhibitions, visit the L’ÉCOLE Middle East website: https://www.lecolevancleefarpels.com/me/en

Dubai Design District (d3) is part of TECOM Group’s business district portfolio, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Science Park and Dubai Industrial City.