The Geneva jeweller’s sparkling new high jewellery collection stole the show at the Cannes Film Festival.
May and June mark the start of the high jewellery season, when all the storied Place Vendôme houses showcase their most exquisite, exceptional pieces. Equally glamorous and showstopping are the host locations for these spectacular events—Lake Como, Capri, St. Tropez to name a few—as maisons vie to outdo one another year on year.
For nearly two decades, however, the Geneva jeweller Chopard has been unveiling its high jewellery collection in the same exact location—and over the course of weeks versus the typical few days. A maison that’s singularly synonymous with the Cannes Film Festival, every May Chopard launches its aptly named Red Carpet Collection during the glittering event, the panorama of the famed Croisette and the Côte d’Azur’s breathtaking views offering a movie-style backdrop.
And what a show it is. Case in point: last year’s extravaganza, when Chopard jewels had a starring role every day of the nearly two-week event. Festival president Iris Knobloch and head of the jury Greta Gerwig kicked off the opening ceremony in Chopard creations, as a constellation of stars followed —among them Bella Hadid, Demi Moore, Helen Mirren, Kevin Costner and Carla Bruni, all dazzling on the red carpet.
“The Collection is designed for actresses to sparkle as they climb the famous steps, thereby honouring Chopard’s reputation as the red-carpet jeweller,” says Caroline Scheufele, the maison’s co-president and artistic director. Last year’s Contes de Fées collection was inspired by fairy tales, and previous lines have paid tribute to the arts and cinema, naturally. Whatever the theme, Scheufele references Cannes every time, with the number of one-off pieces she creates always matching the festival’s birthday that year. As this publication went to press, the first creation for this year’s 78th show was just leaving the high jewellery atelier—a diamond necklace set with a stonking 129-carat emerald cabochon [pictured above], which will join 77 other unique pieces that reflect Scheufele’s vision.
Titled Caroline’s Universe, the collection of necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets highlight their creator’s distinct and imaginative feminine world, with signature nods to flowers, animals, couture, gems, the cosmos and the heart.
And let’s not forget the enduring presence of the Palme d’Or trophy itself—the most prestigious award given out at the film festival—which was crafted by Chopard in ethical Fairmined gold, and first redesigned by Scheufele in 1998. Chopard’s roots to Cannes run deep, and Caroline’s Universe this summer is set to be a real coup —and Scheufele’s most poignant and personal love letter to the festival yet.
