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Where craftsmanship meets curiosity and gems meet knowledge, that is L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewellery. Your go-to location for opening the doors to the fascinating world of jewellery artisanship and gemstones.
Running in the Middle East since 2012, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, L’ÉCOLE runs workshops, courses, talks, and exhibitions. Its curriculum is based on three pillars: jewellery history, the universe of gemstones, and the jewellery-making savoir-faire, which are open to all: those who are passionate connoisseurs, and those of us who are newly discovering this art form. The school offers a hands-on experience guided by expert art-historians, gemologists and master jewellery craftsmen.
Starting this November, L’ÉCOLE is bringing a special exhibition, ‘Poetry of Birds,’ to the region’s public. Unveiling this exhibition at the Dubai Design Week 2025, located at the creative hub, Dubai Design District, this edition will offer a new perspective on the dialogue and fusion between 19th and 20th-century Western jewellery and Islamic art.
Inspired by The Conference of Birds, a poem written by Farid al-Din Attar (circa. 1117), this exhibition explores a poetic and sensory journey. Starting with a script from renowned poets from the region, the exhibition then moves to a bejewelled display of bird species, including the region’s beloved falcons.
This exhibit will display exceptional jewels, gouaché drawings of birds, and precious objects, from the world’s most renowned jewellers, such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Buccellati, Falize and more. To create a dialogue between global craftsmanship and regional heritage, these creations will be displayed alongside carpets, ceramics, and miniatures from the region, coming from the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation and Dubai Museums.
Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, the exhibition curator, highlights how “birds have long held a sacred place in the cultures of the Middle East — as symbols of freedom, renewal, and the human spirit.” She adds that the exhibition not only honours and tributes these birds and their meaning, but also reveals how “these symbols echo across time and continents through art, poetry, and jewellery.”
Adding a contemporary voice is Faisal Al Rais, an Emirati artist. Making his public debut, he will showcase his striking photography series that captures the beauty and symbolism of birds both in the region and around the world. This exhibition will truly celebrate birds and their deep, enduring symbolism, here in the region today, as well as their transcendence throughout history and cross-culturally.
A cultural moment for all: Sophie Claudel, the Director of L’ÉCOLE Middle East, emphasises, the school is committed, “to making the world of jewellery arts accessible to everyone, from curious beginners to passionate collectors.” Inclusivity and knowledge lie at the forefront of L’ÉCOLE Middle East’s vision, and encourage everyone to explore the intersection between jewellery, art, poetry and design.
In the case that you miss the opening day, don’t fret: the exhibition will run from November 6, 2025, until April 25, 2026. Located at Building 10 at the Dubai Design District (d3), open daily with free admission for everyone. Lasting six months, the programme encourages dialogue and discovery.
There is plenty of time to learn, explore and ‘fly’ with L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewellery Art’s, Poetry of Birds.
