L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts Set To Officially Open Its First Permanent Campus In The Middle East At Dubai Design District
Campus In The Middle East At Dubai Design District
Encouraged by the success of its traveling school sessions organized in 2017 and 2019 in the Middle East, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts is set to officially inaugurate its first Middle East campus this April in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District (d3), a global creative ecosystem part of TECOM Group PJSC.
Curated by the world-renowned designer, interior architect, and scenographer Constance Guisset, the new site of L’ÉCOLE (in building 10 at d3) will commence its program of courses for jewelry enthusiasts and novices starting this April. Focused on the history of jewelry, the world of gemstones, and the craftsmanship of jewelry-making techniques, these classes are hands-on and led by passionate art historians, gemologists, jewelers, and artisans. In addition to its courses, L’ÉCOLE offers various activities to acquaint the public with all facets of jewelry culture, including exhibitions, books, children’s workshops, videos, podcasts, and in-person and online discussions.
“We are thrilled to see the new permanent campus of L’ÉCOLE opening in such a vibrant neighborhood in Dubai. Everything was made to create a welcoming space for visitors to discover the world of jewelry through our diverse activities, from courses and talks to exhibitions and children’s workshops.”
Lise Macdonald, President of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts
“L’ÉCOLE Middle East is a new adventure full of surprises. It will intertwine its French roots with the Middle Eastern cultural landscape. Our program of activities, from courses to talks and exhibitions, will give many opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges in a region where everything is possible. This venture highlights our dedication to education and generosity empowerment. Proceeds from our courses and talks will be donated to charity to support education for youth, emphasizing our commitment to enriching lives and nurturing a community of learning and giving.”
Sophie Claudel, Director of L’ÉCOLE Middle East
“Nurturing skills across the diverse creative fields and fostering an engaged, collaborative community are the bedrock of a dynamic, resilient creative economy,” said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3) – part of TECOM Group. “Institutions like L’ÉCOLE combine those pillars into one, offering enthusiasts an opportunity to express themselves creatively while empowering others to learn new skills under expert guidance. Its campus in our global community will raise the level of discourse around diverse design disciplines and, through its programme and exhibitions, inspire new waves of artists, designers, innovators and entrepreneurs, emphasizing Dubai’s status as a leading creative capital.”
L’ÉCOLE’s Commitments
L’ÉCOLE’s establishment in the Middle East region is further distinguished by several commitments, including its collaboration with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) at Al Safa Art & Design Library. Together, they created a dedicated corner within the library showcasing a selection of books curated by L’ÉCOLE. This space is designed to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of arts and cultural expressions in the jewelry world. This collaborative endeavor represents a significant milestone in enriching educational resources for the community of Dubai and the wider Middle East.
Dr Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, expressed his enthusiasm for the inauguration of L’ÉCOLE Middle East’s first permanent campus in the region, saying: “Inaugurating L’ÉCOLE’s permanent campus in Dubai represents a significant milestone in the journey of cultural enrichment and education within our community, as it amplifies the emirate’s commitment to fostering artistic learning and underscores our dedication to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of jewelry arts. Through this partnership, Dubai Culture is proud to contribute to creating a vibrant space where individuals can immerse themselves in the fascinating world of jewelry, bridging cultural divides and nurturing a passion for creativity and craftsmanship.”
L’ÉCOLE is also proud to announce that Dubai Cares, a UAE-based global philanthropic organization, has been selected as its charitable partner, underscoring both organizations’ commitment to youth empowerment in developing countries. 100% of the proceeds raised from L’ÉCOLE Middle East public courses, talks, and conferences will be donated to Dubai Cares to support their youth education programs.
Dubai Cares’ commitment to providing access to quality education aligns seamlessly with L’ÉCOLE Middle East’s philanthropic mission to nurture talent and creativity. Together, they channel their efforts towards initiatives that promote equitable education opportunities, especially in underprivileged communities.
His Excellency Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Cares said: “Youth empowerment holds immense significance in shaping a brighter future, and in this context, we applaud Van Cleef and Arpels’ support in the establishment of L’ÉCOLE’s first permanent campus in the Middle East. This commitment aligns seamlessly with Dubai Cares’ mission to empower youth through education, fostering a generation equipped with knowledge and creativity. The proceeds generated by L’ÉCOLE Middle East’s initiatives will directly contribute to our youth education programs, underscoring a shared commitment to forging more empowered and educated youth globally.”
This not only highlights the importance of philanthropy in supporting educational initiatives, but also paves the way for innovative programs to enrich the educational landscape of developing countries. Together, Dubai Cares and L’ÉCOLE Middle East will work hand in hand to create meaningful opportunities for learning and development, ultimately empowering individuals and communities for a brighter future.
Special thanks to Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for its support to L’ÉCOLE Middle East, which represents a significant stride towards enriching the educational landscape and bolstering the economic vitality of Dubai. This opportunity builds upon the success of previous initiatives by DET, reinforcing its dedication to showcasing a culture of creativity within the city and wider region.
As a pivotal governmental body driving Dubai’s business and tourism sectors forward, DET brings strategic insights and resources to L’ÉCOLE Middle East’s mission of providing top-tier educational disciplines to the local communities, residents and visitors alike. By joining forces, they aim to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem that fosters artistic expression and contributes to Dubai’s economic prosperity and the wider region.
Exhibition: Gold and Treasures. 3000 Years of Chinese Ornaments
To celebrate its grand opening, L’ÉCOLE will present a large and surprising exhibition: Gold and Treasures. 3000 Years of Chinese Ornaments.
From April 26th to August 10th, visitors will discover a selection of a hundred masterpieces from the Mengdiexuan Collection, one of Hong Kong’s most outstanding private art collections, spanning over three thousand years of goldsmithing work in China. Alongside these creations, gold crystals and nuggets from L’ÉCOLE’s collection will be on display, highlighting the precious metal’s natural shapes.
The exhibition is a journey that resonates with the motto of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts: “Discover, wonder, learn.”
About L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts Established in 2012 with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts aims to introduce the public to all aspects of jewelry culture. It is an initiation school, open to everyone – complete beginners as well as enlightened amateurs, collectors and those with a curiosity for the world of jewelry. L’ÉCOLE offers courses in three major fields: the history of jewelry, the world of gemstones and the savoir-faire of jewelry-making techniques, taught by art historians, gemologists, jewelers and artisans. The classes are all practice-based and the students experiment with gestures, skills and tools, guided by their lecturers. It also offers other activities: exhibitions, books, videos, podcasts as well as in-person and online talks. Creative workshops were also created for children and teenagers. L’ÉCOLE now has five permanent addresses: two in Paris, one in Hong Kong, one in Shanghai and one in Dubai. About Dubai Design District (d3) Dubai Design District (d3), a member of TECOM Group PJSC, is a global creative ecosystem dedicated to design, fashion, architecture and art. In line with Dubai’s position as the leading business destination for the region and beyond, d3 is an industry-pioneering concept that enables people and businesses to grow and co-create whilst simultaneously providing a solid platform for creativity. Strategically located in the heart of Dubai, d3 is one of the city’s lifestyle and business districts that challenges thousands of people to rethink the regular. With state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to meet the needs of the industry and a business-friendly framework, the community offers creative talent the tools for collaboration and growth, further reinforcing Dubai’s status as a UNESCO Creative City of Design. d3 is a cutting-edge retail district offering a variety of multi-brand boutiques, fashion brands, and art and design studios. The world’s leading luxury brands, design companies and creatives, including architects, interior designers, photography studios, product and fashion designers, call d3 home. Some of the region’s most popular events take place in d3 and attract international artists and audiences to cultural and fashion exhibitions and gatherings such as Dubai Design Week, Dubai Fashion Week and Sole DXB. The district also regularly hosts a roster of industry talks, workshops and educational programming, accessible to people of all ages. About Dubai Culture & Arts Authority Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is committed to enriching Dubai’s cultural scene based on the UAE’s heritage and is building bridges of constructive dialogue between various cultures to enhance Dubai’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. About Dubai Cares Since its inception in 2007, Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has been working towards providing children and youth in developing countries with access to quality education through the design and funding of programs that aim to be impactful, sustainable and scalable. To date, the UAE-based global philanthropic organization has successfully launched education programs reaching over 24 million beneficiaries in 60 developing countries. About Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) With the ultimate vision of making Dubai the world’s leading commercial centre, investment hub and tourism destination, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is mandated to support the Government in positioning the emirate as a major hub for global economy and tourism, and in boosting the city’s economic and tourism competitiveness indicators, in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy and consolidate its position among the top three global cities over the next decade. .