Continuing its longstanding commitment to nurturing talented and ambitious designers across the GCC, Van Cleef & Arpels in partnership with Tashkeel announces the 10^th Edition of the Emergent Designer Prize with the theme “Inspiring Winds”.

Symbolising strength as well as compassion, wind represents freedom and enchantment. In literature, it heralds coming change, often enabling us to embark on journeys of growth and renewal. It also signifies nostalgia and a longing to be swept back to one’s distant homeland. Ranging from charming light breezes to imposing hurricanes and tornadoes, wind possesses specific resonance in desert lands where languages and dialects have numerous terms for the myriad movements of air across both sea and sand. From naseem and harmattan to khamsin, simoom and shamal, these currents of air form part of the cultural heritage of communities who are rooted as much on the waves as they are on the dunes. Featured in traditional folklore handed from one generation to another, wind is a danger that can disarm but also the means of making rapturous music.

From our founding in 1906 to the present day, the many aspects of nature have been at the core of Van Cleef Arpel’s design philosophy, inspiring innovation and allowing the craftsmen (Mains d’Or) from their workshops in Paris’ Place Vendôme to continue to discover new and beautiful ways to transmit the métiers d’art of their creations to the world. As with the dazzling renewal of nature each season, the Maison of Van Cleef & Arpels applies techniques to bring dazzling jewellery pieces to life in new and innovative ways. The femininity, the sheer abundance of colour is akin to the vibrancy and creativity abound in our workshops.

On the occasion of the landmark tenth edition of the Prize, Van Cleef & Arpels and Tashkeel invites applicants to create a work of contemporary, functional design that responds to the above theme. The submitted proposals should also incorporate creativity and innovation in enforcing the aspect of form and function.

The call is open to all artists and designers living in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The designer behind the winning product receives a five-day trip to Paris to attend courses at L’ECOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, an institute dedicated to sharing the culture and knowledge of the world of jewellery.

The Van Cleef & Arpels Emergent Designer Prize encourages a sustainable approach to design proposals, including the sourcing of materials locally and ethically; whether reused, recycled or recreated with minimal carbon footprint. Please note that submissions in the form of jewellery and/or watch design will not be accepted. Entries will be judged by a panel of experts on the following criteria: Interpretation of theme; originality; concept development; functionality; use of materials, techniques; production feasibility; final design resolution and aesthetics; and overall quality of submission.