Much like the fateful encounter between Claude Arpels and George Balanchine, a new collaboration began in 2012 with Benjamin Millepied. A former star dancer at the New York City Ballet and founder of the troupe L.A. Dance Project, he danced in Rubies, a chapter of Balanchine’s Jewels.
With the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, Benjamin Millepied created the ballet trilogy Gems, made up of Reflections (2013), Hearts & Arrows (2014) and On the Other Side (2016). The Maison’s support was also instrumental in staging the Marfa Dance Episodes: a series of performances filmed and broadcast live at the Chinati Foundation in Texas in 2017.
Created by the renowned dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, L.A. Dance Project is no mere dance troupe, but a genuine collective that seeks to redefine the very notion of artistic collaboration through joint projects. Bringing together figures of diverse artistic backgrounds, from the audiovisual arts to painting and sculpture, this unprecedented adventure aims to project dance beyond its traditional borders with both theatrical performances and dances in non-traditional environments.
Created by the renowned dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, L.A. Dance Project is no mere dance troupe, but a genuine collective that seeks to redefine the very notion of artistic collaboration through joint projects. Bringing together figures of diverse artistic backgrounds, from the audiovisual arts to painting and sculpture, this unprecedented adventure aims to project dance beyond its traditional borders with both theatrical performances and dances in non-traditional environments.
© Jonathan Potter
In 2019, Van Cleef & Arpels introduced its Romeo & Juliet collection, which resonates with a choreographic project by Benjamin Millepied. His ballet Romeo and Juliet is a modern-day take on William Shakespeare’s tragedy set to music by Prokofiev. It is scheduled to debut in 2021 at the Seine Musicale, outside of Paris.
© Jonathan Potter
“These collaborations, these encounters between different disciplines, are always a key source of inspiration for us. They nurture our creativity and build bridges among diverse art forms.” – Nicolas Bos, President and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels
© Bill Cooper
The FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Prize for Ballet
Van Cleef & Arpels encourages innovation in the field of choreographic creation via its partnership with the Fedora philanthropic community. Since 2015, the annual “FEDORA – VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Prize for Ballet” rewards each year the excellence and inventiveness of a new piece.
The list of winners over the years includes Alexei Ratmansky for The Sleeping Beauty and Yan Duyvendak for Sound of Music (2015), Christian Rizzo for le syndrome ian (2016), Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar for Love Chapter 2 (2017), William Forsythe for A Quiet Evening of Dance (2018), Invisible Cities, a creation by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui for the Rambert dance troupe (2019) and LIGHT: Bach Dances (working title), by the Hofesh Shechter Company (2020).
Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels
The Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels initiative marks a new chapter in the relationship uniting the Maison and the world of dance. Launched in 2020, this program designed in collaboration with international partners epitomizes Van Cleef & Arpels’ commitment to supporting choreographic legacies, engaging in the development of contemporary creations and popularizing this artistic universe among the broadest possible audience.
The project includes two distinct actions: the first is to accompany the artists and institutions that keep repertory art alive and contribute to contemporary performance. Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels will also organize a great choreographic event featuring a varied and rich selection of creations. In addition, awareness-raising measures focused on culture and dance will be implemented for audiences of every stripe, professionals and amateurs alike.
www.dancereflections-vancleefarpels.com
© Joe Gato
The history of Van Cleef & Arpels and dance
1941 – Creation of the first dancer clips, materializing an idea developed by Louis Arpels.
1966 – Visit by George Balanchine to the Van Cleef & Arpels 5th Avenue boutique in New York.
1967 – Premiere of George Balanchine’s ballet Jewels in three chapters: Emeralds, Rubies and Diamonds.
2006 – Creation of the Ballet Précieux High Jewelry collection, a tribute to the ballet Jewels.
2007 – Initial collaboration with the Royal Opera House in London for a new production of Jewels celebrating the ballet’s 40th anniversary.
2012 – Van Cleef & Arpels initiated a collaboration with choreographer Benjamin Millepied and his dance troupe, L.A. Dance Project.
– Start of a collaboration with the Bolshoi Theatre for a new production of Jewels.
2013 – Creation of the Lady Arpels Ballerine Enchantée watch. – Creation of the ballet Reflections by Benjamin Millepied: the first chapter of his triptych Gems.
© Marc Coudrais
2014 – Creation of the ballet Hearts & Arrows by Benjamin Millepied, the second chapter of his triptych Gems.
– Creation of the Fedora – Van Cleef & Arpels Prize for Ballet.
– Start of the collaboration between Van Cleef & Arpels and the Croisements Festival in China.
2015 – The Fedora – Van Cleef & Arpels Prize for Ballet awarded to Alexei Ratmansky and Yan Duyvendak for The Sleeping Beauty and Sound of Music, respectively.
– Van Cleef & Arpels sponsorship of 3e Scène, the digital platform of the Opéra National de Paris.
2016 – Premiere of the ballet On the Other Side by Benjamin Millepied, the third chapter of his triptych Gems.
– The Fedora – Van Cleef & Arpels Prize for Ballet awarded to le syndrome ian by Christian Rizzo.
2017 – Partnership between Van Cleef & Arpels and the Australian Ballet, including its Ballet Ambassador program.
– The Fedora – Van Cleef & Arpels Prize for Ballet awarded to Love Chapter 2 by Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar.
2018 – The Fedora – Van Cleef & Arpels Prize for Ballet awarded to A Quiet Evening of Dance, by William Forsythe.
© Marc Domage
2019 – Van Cleef & Arpels introduced its Romeo & Juliet High Jewelry collection, echoing a choreographic project by Benjamin Millepied.
– Van Cleef & Arpels became a sponsor of the Bolshoi Theatre.
– The Fedora – Van Cleef & Arpels Prize for Ballet awarded to Invisible Cities, a creation by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui for the Rambert dance troupe.
2020 – The Maison launched its Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels initiative to promote transmission of choreographic legacies and contemporary creation.
– The Fedora – Van Cleef & Arpels Prize for Ballet awarded to LIGHT: Bach Dances (working title) by the Hofesh Shechter Company.
