As L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewellery Arts opened its first three-week Nomadic School in Korea, marie claire Australia sat down with Julie Clody-Medina, President of Asia Pacific at Van Cleef & Arpels, and Lise Macdonald, President of L’ÉCOLE, to talk friction, philosophy, and why Seoul was the perfect fit.
What Do You Hope People Take Away From Any Of The 102 Courses At L’ÉCOLE?
Julie Clody-Medina: “I think to ignite further curiosity, an understanding of the layering of several métiers behind the simple beauty of a creation is something we aim for through L’ÉCOLE, and we hope visitors will enjoy it.
It’s more than a class. It’s more than a top-down lesson on something. It’s participative; it’s instilling further curiosity. We hope these emotions they will feel — beyond just knowledge — will encourage them to read more books, attend more exhibitions, or look at the jewellery they have in their family with different eyes”
Why Does That Matter Specifically For An Industry Like High Jewellery?
Clody-Medina: “Historically, the world of jewellery has always been perceived as a closed, very exclusive, very private universe. The whole mission of L’ÉCOLE, supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, which is the only and unique patron of L’ÉCOLE, is to demystify and open the door to the jewellery world. So one can not only appreciate the beauty at the surface of a creation, but have a deeper knowledge of the golden hands that have worked together to give life to a creation — and where the stones are coming from, and all the layering of understanding of the métiers, the people who bring a creation to life.
Very humbly, the idea is not only to demystify, but to ensure those expertises, those métiers, will last over time. Because the more people are aware, curious, passionate about it, the better it is to perpetuate those gestures, this scientific knowledge, and this savoir-faire at large.”
Lise Macdonald: “Jewellery is an expression of humanity. You can look at one jewel through different prisms, different angles, and it’ll teach us how the piece was created — looking at the stones, how the earth has created those; looking at history, how it has evolved through time, through space. It is not a subcategory of decorative arts. Jewellery is, like any other type of artistic expression, a true creation and artistic value.”
Why Was Seoul The Right Destination For L’ECOLE’s Nomadic Residency, Now?
Clody-Medina: “We feel the audience here in the Korean market is very receptive, very curious, and there’s no prerequisite to attend L’ÉCOLE — you can be simply just curious, and through the experience, you will gain a deeper knowledge.”
Macdonald: “When we found this space [Futura Seoul], and looked at how we could create a whole set of events here around exhibitions, courses, all the different education paths, we thought it was the right location and also the right time to be here in Korea.”
What Are You Most Curious To See Play Out During The Residency?
Macdonald: I would be very keen to see how the local audience responds to the intersection of cultures we’ve tried to create for this Nomadic School. We have conferences looking at how craftsmanship of gold has resonance between Celtic times and Korean craftsmen — you can see, in images on the wall, creations from Korea’s Silla Dynasty, a civilisation that lasted over a thousand years, and how gold was used then.”
“Another conference we’ve created is around talismans. We have a Korean expert looking at talisman jewellery here in Korea — how relevant it is here, the different symbolism, how animals are used in Korean beliefs, and their connections or differences with talismans around the world.”
Clody-Medina: “More than an educational institution, it’s made to bridge culture — jewellery art is a testimony of humanity. We invite guests to deep dive and immerse themselves in very hands-on activities, into gemology, savoir-faire, and the history of jewellery. Through the three-week Nomadic journey, we can really set a footprint for our visitors not only to explore the exhibition but also to attend different classes, talks, and hands-on workshops.”
Are There Any Moments That Have Stayed With You So Far?
Macdonald: [On the children’s workshop] “They came out very proud, with all their little jewellery around their necks and their drawings. It’s lovely to see those young generations having fun, looking at objects, and just opening up their minds. That’s already a big step forward.”
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
