Richemont’s Van Cleef & Arpels CEO Catherine Rénier on timelessness and sustainable growth – interview
As Van Cleef & Arpels adds new blooms to its collections, we speak to CEO Catherine Rénier on the brand’s success so far – and plans for the future
It’s been almost two years since Catherine Rénier was appointed CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels after a successful stint as CEO at watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre. She couldn’t have joined at a better time for the jewellery maison.
This is in spite of the fact that Van Cleef & Arpels is one of the only high-end labels to shun celebrity ambassadors and influencers, instead promoting true exclusivity through initiatives that celebrate genuine savoir faire and the pure appeal of its creations.
The house, however, is not resting on its laurels. Earlier this year, it launched two fine jewellery lines – Flowerlace and Fleurs d’Hawaï – both inspired by the floral motifs that have always been at the heart of its visual vocabulary.
As Rénier explained in an interview in Scotland, the group always thinks long term, even if doing so can slow down growth, which is why you can expect her to stay the course, both when it comes to the brand’s celebrity strategy and its focus on highlighting craftsmanship and excellence.
At the Scotland event, for instance, a series of artisans – from lapidaries to stone setters – showcased some of the steps involved in making the house’s creations, which is nothing new in the world of luxury, but certainly more refreshing and even more radical than taking snapshots of a “brand ambassador” who often knows very little about the pieces they are wearing.
