September 5, 2016, Dubai, UAE: Van Cleef & Arpels celebrates nature’s revival in its window displays. To mark the Holy occasion of Eid Al Adha, artist Sheikha Wafa Bint Hasher Al Maktoum brings a bouquet of life to the Dubai Mall boutique.
Inspiration
Sheikha Wafa Bint Hasher Al Maktoum blends her artistic muse with her sense of her environment. She draws upon a combination of elements: the illusion of time and a celebration of nature - one of the most cherished sources of inspiration for Van Cleef & Arpels. She balances these ideologies whilst cultivating a unique interpretation of the lotus flower. A symbol of beauty, purity, and accomplishment, the lotus flower reflects the harmonious world of Van Cleef & Arpels. In many cultures, the lotus is a daily reminder that perseverance and inner strength results in light and beauty. On this occasion, the lotus is a marvel of vitality and eternal freshness, symbolizing a new beginning.
Expression
Sheikha Wafa Bint Hasher Al Maktoum graces the celebration of florals by offering a precious expression of the lotus through a display of infinite beauty. Sheikha Wafa Bint Hasher Al Maktoum nurtures nature, fusing French style with Middle Eastern culture.
An infinite form of the lotus flower is depicted through a repetitive confetti style, juxtaposed with transparent Arabesque patterns, forming subtle plays of light. Lotus patterns are engraved onto a garden-like gate, unfurling as if floating on tranquil waters.
Sheikha Wafa Bint Hasher Al Maktoum realizes her designs through a high level of precision and skill. Repetitive yet fresh, her designs herald a joyful and blossoming new concept. The originality of her work resides in creating an arabesque look that is achieved through carved and welded metal elements. The use of metal accentuates the overall radiance, creating living, breathing beauties.
Unveiling Blissful Utopia
The lotus flower, pure and delicate, comes to life, adorning the display in all its beauty. Serene hues shine in the candid light of Sheikha Wafa Bint Hasher Al Maktoum’s imagination.
“I find my inspiration from my surroundings: the city around me and what’s beneath the surface”, says Sheikha Wafa Bint Hasher Al Maktoum. “In designing this animation, my signature of repetitive patterns is intertwined with one of nature’s purest charms, the lotus flower.”
“In celebration of Eid, we are proud to collaborate with talented artist Sheikha Wafa Bint Hasher Al Maktoum in transforming our façade into a piece of art,” says Alessandro Maffi, Managing Director of Van Cleef & Arpels Middle East & India. “Van Cleef & Arpels has orchestrated uniting art forms ever since inception, and we embark on an enthralling new chapter.”
