Van Cleef & Arpels Perfume & Women's Fragrance

Van Cleef & Arpels is an esteemed French jewellery house which is also noted for it's excellent perfumes. The story of the brand is a true love story and begins when Alfred Van Cleef, a Dutch man travelling in France, met Estelle Arpels. When it turned out that Estelle's father sold diamonds, sapphires and other precious stones while Van Cleef came from a family of diamond-cutters, it was clear that it was a perfect match. The young couple married shortly after, in 1895, and the year after their families were in business together. In 1906, after Arpels sadly passed away and Alfred opened the first Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in her memory the same year.

The two families kept working together and soon their exquisite creations were the talk of Paris. The were specialized in making bespoke jewellery for the rich and famous and their jewellery adorned some of the most famous couples of the early 20th century. The Duke of Windsor went to Van Cleef & Arpels for the beautiful sapphire and diamond bracelet he gave Wallis Simpson on their wedding day, the scandalous union that tore apart the British royal family and forced the Duke to abdicate. Other illustrious clients include Jackie Onassis, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor.

It wasn't until the 70's that clients could enjoy Van Cleef & Arpels perfumes. The very first release was, fittingly enough, First for Women (1976), a deep and complex feminine blend of florals and fruits. First has been very popular and has been released in several versions, including First Edition Blanche (2013). The self-titled Van Cleef is a oriental perfume with floral notes released in 1993. This includes Feerie (2008), a gorgeous fragrance in an equally beautiful bottle decorated with the titular fairy. Feerie is built on heavy notes of violet and blackcurrant blended with green notes and roses on a woody vetiver base.

While the original Van Cleef and Arpels may be gone the brand is bigger than ever and with new stores opening in the US and the Middle East we'll keep seeing thier lovely jewellery and smelling their fantastic fragrances for many years to come.