A triumph of imagination and craftsmanship, the Van Cleef & Arpels “Zip” necklace stands as one of the most innovative creations in the history of high jewelry. Its story begins in the 1930s, when the Duchess of Windsor, a loyal patron of Van Cleef & Arpels, proposed a daring idea to the maison’s creative director Renée Puissant, daughter of Estelle Arpels and Alfred Van Cleef. She envisioned a jeweled zipper that could adorn her evening gowns, blending fashion’s modern utility with the sophistication of fine jewelry.

The concept demanded extraordinary technical ingenuity and years of patient experimentation by Van Cleef & Arpels’ artisans. Though the patent was registered in 1938, the first “Zip” necklace was not presented until 1951. Produced only in limited quantities during the 1950s, early “Zip” necklaces are now highly prized by collectors for their rarity and technical brilliance.

Over the decades, Van Cleef & Arpels has reinterpreted this masterpiece in dazzling combinations of platinum, yellow and rose gold, adorned with diamonds and colored gemstones, continually renewing its allure for contemporary connoisseurs. More than seventy years after its debut, it remains a symbol of bold innovation, playful elegance and the enduring legacy of Van Cleef & Arpels’ creative genius.