Van Cleef & Arpels x Fatima Alketbi partner up to celebrate the Holy month of Ramadan in the most unique way. Find out more below.
To honor the holy month of Ramadan, observed by Muslims around the globe, renowned French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels has collaborated with Emirati creative marvel, graphic designer, and calligrapher Fatima Alketbi. The brand has revealed a series of calligraphy artworks that encapsulate the spirit of Ramadan by enmeshing “heritage and contemporary elegance”.
Alketbi’s artworks are curated utilizing palm fronds, as an ode to her Emirati heritage. Each stroke is enriched with years of history, spotlighting the beauty and heritage of the UAE. In Alketbi’s words, her work spotlights “the beauty of the United Arab Emirates landscape and the rich poetic traditions embedded in her family’s conversations.”
Holding a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Graphic Design from Zayed University, Dubai, Fatima Alketbi has always enjoyed experimenting with different mediums and curating mixed media artworks. One of her previous pieces include a piece of calligraphy designed using hair, reflecting her creative prowess. Through her journey over the years, the artist has also discovered the artisitic abilities of kohl, implementing it into her calligraphy alongside palm fronds, forming a “creative bridge between her Emirati heritage and the modern world.”
The artist’s talent also earned her the attention of the Dubai Calligraphy Biennale, where Alketbi had the chance to design the packaging of Dubai-based luxury chocolatier Mirzam. Her work is heavily influenced by her homeland, often including cultural motifs, and of course, Arabic letters. The emblematic artwork she created for Van Cleef & Arpels highlights her passion for capturing and spotlighting the essence of her heritage, and the maison’s decades-long commitment to artfully curated craftsmanship.
Since its inaugural year in 1906, at Paris’ 22 Place Vendôme, Van Cleef & Arpels has pioneered the industry with its excellent craftsmanship. The brand received its signature name following Estelle Arpels’ marriage to Alfred Van Cleef in 1895, and has since continued to embody luxury through its many creations, as well as curations. The brand is synonymous with signature pieces including the Minaudière, the ever-loved Alhambra motif, and many more treasures that celebrate inventiveness and poetry.