Style News: Van Cleef & Arpels launches spring line, Cartier reopens Takashimaya flagship

Van Cleef & Arpels debuts new collection

It is that time of year again when Van Cleef & Arpels unveils its ode to spring.

The French jewellery maison’s beloved Lucky Spring collection is back. And it is more enchanting than ever this season, thanks to a renewed collaboration with rising French artist Alexandre Benjamin Navet.

Known for his vibrant, whimsical sketches, Navet lends a playful touch by reimagining iconic symbols of luck and nature in joyful hues. Think charming ladybugs with wings poised for flight, delicate lily-of-the-valley buds and plum blossoms captured mid-bloom – all rendered in rose gold, carnelian, onyx and mother-of-pearl.

Launched in 2021, Lucky Spring celebrates the art of renewal, not just in spirit but also in craft.

Every piece – from a Between The Finger ring featuring a ladybug nestled beside a plum blossom to pendants and bracelets showcasing nature’s tiny treasures – is brought to life through lost-wax casting, hand-polished golden beads and precise stone setting. Prices are available upon request.

Info: Available in Van Cleef & Arpels boutiques, including 01-02 Raffles Arcade, 328 North Bridge Road, and B1-41 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue

Cartier reopens flagship Takashimaya boutique

Cartier has officially reopened its Takashimaya Shopping Centre boutique. The revamped two-storey flagship brings the serenity of Singapore’s garden city into the heart of Orchard Road, while staying true to the French maison’s iconic design codes.

Redesigned by Parisian design studio Bidard & Raissi, the expanded space now spans 3,348 sq ft, compared with the original 2,680 sq ft.

It is composed of distinct sections which feature the iconic Trinity and Love collections, and bold creative jewellery pieces from collections like Grain de Cafe and Panthere. On the second level, watch aficionados will find a curated selection of timepieces.

The boutique also features Cartier’s first dedicated Client Care space in Singapore. This plush area on Level 1 offers services ranging from cleaning to repair to personalisation – all in a setting that blends earthy tones with the brand’s signature refinement. A romantic bridal corner sets the scene for love stories, complete with pastel hues and a hornbill mural.

Info: 01-33 and 02-02 to 04 Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Ngee Ann City, 391A Orchard Road

Gucci Beauty expands haute perfumery collection

Italian luxury maison Gucci Beauty has unveiled three new additions to its luxurious haute perfumery line, The Alchemist’s Garden.

Conceived by its former creative director Alessandro Michele in 2019, the collection reimagines fragrance as a form of storytelling.

The latest eau de parfums – Vanilla Firenze, Fiori di Neroli and Osmanthus Nectar ($575 each) – continue the collection’s whimsical tradition of spotlighting a single hero ingredient.

Vanilla Firenze pairs the rich warmth of three types of vanilla extracts with the powdery elegance of Italian iris pallida, while Fiori di Neroli captures the coastal spirit of Liguria through hand-harvested neroli essence, blended with petitgrain and cedarwood. Finally, Osmanthus Nectar distils the juicy, apricot-like scent of blooming osmanthus flowers and anchors it with creamy sandalwood.

These three scents join the other 16 in the collection, including Tears From The Moon, the collection’s current bestseller. It was named best fragrance of 2023 by The Fragrance Foundation, a UK-based non-profit dedicated to the fragrance industry.

Housed in iconic apothecary-style flacons, each fragrance echoes the collection’s inspiration – age-old perfumery rituals and the art of alchemy.

These scents are not just meant to stand alone. Mix, match and layer them with the collection’s perfumed oils and scented waters to create your own personalised blend.

Info: Available in Gucci Beauty boutiques at B2-44/46 Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, and 01-40A Raffles City, 252 North Bridge Road

SK-II reformulates best-selling GenOptics InfinitAura Essence

Introduced in 2015, SK-II’s GenOptics InfinitAura Essence has been revamped with a gentler formula.

Priced from $254 for 30ml, the updated serum from the Japanese skincare brand now includes bisabolol pro, a powerful yet soothing ingredient designed to calm skin and make the essence suitable even for sensitive skin and the delicate eye area.

As always, the essence is powered by SK-II’s signature pitera, a yeast-derived ingredient rich in more than 50 micro-nutrients that is said to transform skin from within. It also includes niacinamide for overall radiance and lotus flower extract to combat both visible and hidden signs of sun and age spots.

Info: Available at SK-II counters and online at

sk-ii.com.sg

Bobbi Brown’s new lip product with shine

American cosmetics brand Bobbi Brown is giving lips the full treatment with the latest addition to its Extra collection – the Extra Color Shine Lipstick ($62). The luscious new formula brings together the comfort of a balm, the colour of a lipstick and the shine of a gloss.

Formulated with nourishing oils such as jojoba and safflower, this do-it-all lipstick does not just sit pretty. It also claims to condition, plump and smooth lips. The 11 new shades are ultra-wearable and designed to enhance the natural lip tone while delivering a water-glazed finish.

The lipstick joins other products in the collection, such as the Extra Lip Tint ($60) and Plump Lip Serum ($68).

Info: Available at Sephora, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics counters and online at

sephora.sg