From November 7th, 2024, to April 26th, 2025, L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts, will present the exhibition Men’s Rings, Yves Gastou Collection to the Middle Eastern audience for the very first time in Dubai. This exhibition, hosted in strategic partnership with Dubai Design District (d3), will display the unprecedented collection of men’s rings which belonged to the late French collector and antique art dealer, Yves Gastou.
The impressive collection stands as a testament to an extraordinary quest, embodying a man’s 40-year passion. As the largest edition of the exhibition, featuring more than 700 exceptional rings, Men’s Rings centers on five themes to allow an immersive exploration of the collector’s personal taste: History, Gothic, Christian Mysticism, Vanitas and Eclecticism.
The opening of this remarkable exhibition marks a significant moment in the region’s art and design calendar as L’ÉCOLE Middle East will coincide with the milestone 10th edition of Dubai Design Week, the region’s leading design festival taking place November 5th to 10th in strategic partnership with d3, a global creative ecosystem by TECOM Group. A Public Open Day will take place on Saturday, November 9th, inviting the whole community to experience L’ÉCOLE Middle East’s course demonstrations, kids workshops, guided tours and activities. These exciting events bring together two pillars of the cultural landscape, offering an unprecedented opportunity for visitors to explore the intersection of jewelry, art and design.
“We are thrilled to present the ‘Men’s Rings, Yves Gastou Collection’ in Dubai, a city that perfectly balances tradition with modernity,” said Sophie Claudel, Director of L’ÉCOLE Middle East. “Our collaboration during Dubai Design Week is a testament to the vibrant and dynamic cultural scene here. Additionally, we are excited to welcome students back to our school with a wider array of courses, ensuring that the art of jewelry continues to inspire and educate.”
“The universe of design is vast and extraordinary. This inspiring exhibition by L’ÉCOLE Middle East emphasizes just how versatile its disciplines and crafts can be,” said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3) – part of TECOM Group. “This exhibition is an exciting addition to Dubai Design Week, of which we are strategic partners. Through such events, valued partners like L’ÉCOLE enrich d3’s community and continue to expand the dialogue of design, fashion and art, positioning Dubai as the beating heart of the creative industry.”
We are delighted to welcome L’ÉCOLE Middle East’s exhibition ‘Men’s Rings, Yves Gastou Collection’, taking place in Dubai Design District (d3) during Dubai Design Week,” comments Natasha Carella, Director of Dubai Design Week. “This exhibition not only enriches our programme, adding to the diversity and depth of design disciplines, but by highlighting the artistry and historical significance of jewelry, L’ÉCOLE fosters a dialogue that resonates with our commitment to foster creative exchange, as well as inspire, educate and connect the wider community.”
Yves Gastou, a reputable antique and sculptural furniture dealer, had a taste for pushing curatorial boundaries. His gallery in Paris opened in 1986 and was an iconic showcase of his daring esthetics. Gastou was also an avid collector and, among his all-encompassing treasure trove, he orchestrated a jewelry collection dedicated to men’s rings which he would not just keep as enviable rarity, neither offer for sale, but wear as proud regalia.
Gastou’s fascination with rings originated in his childhood and remained until his last days. Over the years, he had carefully selected an eclectic collection of over a thousand rings, some precious, some mass-produced, with a vast geographical and temporal span: from the 17th-century Venice doge rings to American biker rings back in the 1970s, from ancient Egyptian rings to “memento mori” skull rings in the 19th century, and from 18th-century enameled rings to unique creations by contemporary artists. His relentless quest led him across auction houses, merchants, workshops, flea markets, and studio collections, hunting for treasures. These signet, episcopal, posy or biker’s rings lend an idiomatic expression to the man’s insatiable appetite for exceptional objects that delight the eye with their intense beauty and enlighten the mind with their myriad functions, from wedding oaths to mystical amulets and from symbols of power to statements of defiance.
After a successful debut in Paris in 2018, the exhibition traveled to Tokyo and Hong Kong in 2022, and Shanghai in 2023. New rings have been added to the selection for its fifth edition in Dubai. L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts is delighted to present this eclectic collection by a great jewelry lover to the Middle Eastern public for the first time.
In addition to the exhibition opening, L’ÉCOLE Middle East has resumed its courses offering an enriched schedule, including two newly introduced courses: “The Making of a Jewel” and “Discovering the World of Gemstones”. Open to all, from complete beginners as well as enlightened amateurs, collectors and those with a curiosity for the world of jewelry, L’ÉCOLE offers a rich program of courses and talks around the three pillars: the history of jewelry, the world of gemstones and the savoir-faire of jewelry-making techniques. Limited seats are available; please register for the courses through the website.
L’ÉCOLE Middle East, School of Jewelry Arts is proud to partner with Dubai Cares, a UAE-based global philanthropic organization, underscoring both organizations’ commitment to youth empowerment in developing countries. 100% of the proceeds raised from L’ÉCOLE Middle East public courses, talks, and conferences will be donated to Dubai Cares to support their youth education programs.
