Agreed! That’s my experience too. I seem to see VCA pieces, more specifically the vintage Alhambra bracelets all over social media but not in person.
Does anyone feel like VCA is everywhere now?
- Thread starter gg1014
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No frankly. I’ve been immensely frustrated trying to help a friend track down a non-Alhambra piece. If we were going by our efforts, in contrast to this thread, this VCA piece is NOWHERE.
I had that issue with the Perlee diamond row… I have had zero luck finding that
Same here , when i purchased my Cartier tank francaise 16 years ago, i was introduced to the love cuff which was 2500 at the time. I couldn't afford to get it then, and the allure hasn't diminished for me. this year, I have the opportunity to fulfill my wishlist at Cartier and VCA. i buy what i like, and I am not really bothered by what others are wearing.I like the six motif gmop necklace that I have. It’s light weight and I wear it a lot traveling. If I got more VCA, it would probably be buton d’or. There is Lot of VCA and Cartier mixed stack on NY’s upper East side. If there is any doubt, one can simply have lunch at Avra or Bilboquet and see various renditions
When I was growing up in the 1970s and 80s, VCA was already very well established. I also vaguely remember the big four scandal due to Tiffany, VCA, Bulgari, and Mikimoto sending empty boxes out of state so their well heeled clients could avoid tax.
The weekly NYT print box ads for VCA, Cartier, Bulgari, and Mikimoto, if any one remembers those, were all geared towards an older, more conservative clientele. I believe this was when Hermes was on 57. There was a large dunhill store there too. What’s old is new again, and bigger than ever due to social media. I have no doubt that private school girls in NY * wear their moms cast off VCA pendants or evelyn TPMs, or get something for their own special occasions.
If I like something, I like it. The hype doesn’t necessarily diminish the allure for me.
ETA: as someone who went to private school in NY, yep, the girls today are probably still taller, slimmer, cuter, better dressed with better hair, so VCA no doubt looks fabulous on them
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Do you think Van Cleef is too trendy to get as a sentimental piece/to mark a milestone and hope to wear for many years to come?
I am looking to get a piece of jewellery for my 30th birthday and am considering a sweet Alhambra necklace in carnelian, but am worried that it is something that in a few years time might look dated (in the way that the "return to Tiffany" necklaces now look very 2000s).
I am also considering the Lucky Spring plum blossom necklace, which is less ubiquitous but also nearly double the price.
Currently the only item of designer jewellery I own is a Cartier trinity ring, which I adore partly because it feels very timeless.
I am looking to get a piece of jewellery for my 30th birthday and am considering a sweet Alhambra necklace in carnelian, but am worried that it is something that in a few years time might look dated (in the way that the "return to Tiffany" necklaces now look very 2000s).
I am also considering the Lucky Spring plum blossom necklace, which is less ubiquitous but also nearly double the price.
Currently the only item of designer jewellery I own is a Cartier trinity ring, which I adore partly because it feels very timeless.
I don’t think so, it’s been worn since the 60s and isn’t really trendy. I see it as VCA having better reach for future generations
I think VCA uses beautiful carnelian and considered buying a Vintage Alhambra pendant. Because Carnelian is slightly translucent it changed color when I wore if over a dark turtleneck. It looked red against my skin. I was surprised because my only experience with Vintage Alhambra at that point was the Holiday Pendant, which has a metal back. A close friend owns the Lucky Spring plum blossom necklace and loves it. It doesn’t have the same problem with translucence. And the WMOP with RG is lovely. You can’t go wrong with either one. Only you know how you will wear it. Have fun!
I think of it as more classic versus trendy despite its spike recently on social media. I think whichever piece you choose, it will be a beautiful way to celebrate your milestone birthday! Best wishes!
It’s definitely not trendy despite its heightened visibility. It’s a classic and I would definitely start collecting now as prices will definitely keep increasing
If you watch a lot of Youtube luxury influencers and fashion content on other social medias, you'll see the popular VCA pieces daily and naturally you may associate the pieces with the influencer culture and as part of the current roster of trend items.
However, if you're living your life outside of Instagram and don't get exposed to that over-saturation, then VCA continues to be a timeless piece that you'll see real people wearing. Who cares what's happening on the 'gram? What matters is how it makes you feel in your own life.
However, if you're living your life outside of Instagram and don't get exposed to that over-saturation, then VCA continues to be a timeless piece that you'll see real people wearing. Who cares what's happening on the 'gram? What matters is how it makes you feel in your own life.