Artist’s impression of the new L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific campus
L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, is set to establish its first overseas campus in Hong Kong, and second overall campus, this fall.
The French haute jewellery and watch making school announced that the new and permanent campus, to be christened L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific, will be located at K11 MUSEA at Victoria Dockside.
French Jewellery School L’ÉCOLE To Open Its First Global Campus In Hong Kong
One of the many intimate classrooms in the upcoming Hong Kong campus
L’ÉCOLE’s decision to open the school there comes on the back of three previous limited but successful programmes with the local student community that took place over the past five years.
“L’ÉCOLE’s offerings break down barriers to the vast and enchanting world of jewelry for everyone.” – Marie Vallanet-Delhom, President of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts
Such travelling editions of its curricula have also taken the school to other cities like Tokyo, New York, and Dubai, since 2013.
A specialised library that will house over 600 books on jewellery
Overlooking the iconic Victoria Harbour, the new location was designed by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto. L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific will occupy two levels, featuring intimate classrooms, workshops and exhibition spaces, as well as a specialised library housing over 600 books on jewelry arts.
“L’ÉCOLE’s offerings break down barriers to the vast and enchanting world of jewelry for everyone. Whether you are a collector or wear only your wedding band; whether you are an engineer, painter, or school teacher; you will learn directly from our leading experts – the only prerequisite is curiosity.” – Marie Vallanet-Delhom, President of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts
For a start, the school will launch with 17 course topics under the three main themes of Savoir-Faire (Craftsmanship), Art History of Jewelry, and The Universe of Gemstones. Each course, two to four hours in duration, can be taken à la carte in any order, and is limited to 12 students to encourage direct interaction between participants and teachers.
L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific will overlook the scenic Victoria Harbour
According to L’ÉCOLE, leading scholars in the fields of craftsmanship, science, art, and history from Paris and around Asia, will serve as programme lecturers.
Along with the courses, L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific will also offer a full-year programme that includes Workshops for Young People, quarterly Evening Conversations and, for the first time in Hong Kong, curated exhibitions showcasing jewellery arts from the most magnificent private collections, as well as creations by contemporary artists.
Press launch of the L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific School opening
L’ÉCOLE was founded in Place Vendôme in Paris seven years ago, with the support of High Jewellery Maison Van Cleef & Arpels. The school has seen its student enrolment climb steadily, according to Nicolas Bos, President and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels.
“In less than a decade, L’ÉCOLE has already welcomed over 30,000 alumni from 50 different nationalities worldwide through its courses and talks and 32,000 visitors to its exceptional exhibitions. We are looking forward to giving more people access to L’ÉCOLE’s expertise and unique offerings through our support of the second permanent campus in Hong Kong,” says Bos.
The K11 MUSEA, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2019, is a first-of-its-kind retail and art complex. Situated in the heart of Hong Kong’s art and design district Victoria Dockside, the museum-mall was design-led by James Corner and Forth Bagley, in collaboration with over 100 other architects, artists, and designers.
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