JEWELLERY
MATCH MADE IN PARADISE
Chopard’s Red Carpet Collection is a tribute to the Cannes Film Festival, with which it shares a rich history
After the cancellation of the Cannes Film Festival in 2020, Chopard returns to the movie theatres of the famous Palais des Festival this year, eager to highlight a lifelong passion for the cinema through exceptional Haute Joaillerie.
This year, the phenomenal Red Carpet Collection takes on new life inspired by the theme of Paradise – an odyssey through fantastical visions of unspoilt nature. Since the collection began in 2007, it has always paid tribute to the Cannes Film Festival. Precious bejewelled designs mirror the vibrant actresses embodying the collection’s radiant energy, adorning them as they make their legendary ascent during the Montée des Marches.
Setting the miraculous collection aside, the official partnership of Chopard and the Cannes Film Festival extends back to 1997. The thenpresident of the festival, Pierre Viot, met Chopard co-president and artistic director Caroline Scheufele, inviting her to redesign the Palme d’Or for the 50th anniversary. Given her deep love for the cinematic arts, Caroline enthusiastically accepted the challenge, birthing the iconic trophy first unveiled in 1998. Ever since, the maison and legendary event have enjoyed an exquisite romance, filled with memorable creations and sensational moments.
Widely coveted as one of the most prestigious awards in the film industry, the Palme d’Or is the highest prize bestowed at the festival. Since 2014, it has sparkled more brilliantly with 118g of Fairmined-certified ethical gold and a solid block of rock crystal in the form of an emeraldcut diamond. Given no two crystals are identical, every Palme d’Or is one-of-a-kind – a piece of Haute Joaillerie in its own way that demands 40 hours of labour by five master artisans in Chopard’s workshops.
A milestone in Chopard’s Journey to Sustainable Luxury, the trophy represents not only the best of film production, but the best of gold production sourced through processes respectful of people and the environment. Naturally, this progressive partnership between the big-hearted jeweller and prominent festival promises to persevere in its commitment to excellence, guiding a pathway to a bright future for both the arts and the environment.
CHOPARD LOVES CINEMA
The Cannes Film Festival’s influence on the film industry is significant, having a hand in launching prominent filmmakers of the modern age. The festival is ultimately an international marketplace, affording producers and distributors the opportunity to exchange ideas, view films and sign contracts.
Before Quentin Tarantino became a household name, he was an independent filmmaker. In 1994, Tarantino wrote, directed, and acted in Pulp Fiction (1994) which won him a Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival that year and launched his illustrious career.
Seen as a pioneer of modern independent cinema, Steven Soderbergh also won the Palme d’Or at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival for his indie drama Sex, Lies and Videotape ( 1989). The film proved to be his directorial breakthrough, cementing his authority in the film industry. He would later find critical success with the Ocean’s trilogy and film franchise
(2001-2018), Magic Mike (2012) and many more. Awarded the Palme d’Or at the age of 26, Soderbergh has the honour of being the youngest solo director to win the prestigious award.
Chopard has been a prominent presence at the f estival t hroughout t he p ast t wo d ecades, committed to the advancement of world cinema. In 2001, the maison established the Trophée Chopard to reward a young actor and actress every year at the festival. A jury comprising a panel of journalists and artists select the “Revelation of the Year” with the hope of encouraging the promising talent of tomorrow.
Past h onourees i nclude M arion C otillard, Léa Seydoux, Archie Panjabi, Ezra Miller, George MacKay, Anya Taylor-Joy, John Boyega, and Elizabeth Debicki. Many have gone on to win, or be nominated for, a wide array of international film and television awards.
This year, actress Jessica Chastain served as
patroness of the Trophée Chopard, presenting the distinction to British actor Kingsley BenAdir a nd I rish a ctress J essie B uckley. D irector Thierry Frémaux and television executive Pierre Lescure were present at the ceremony, accompanied by an array of industry movers and shakers.
RED CARPET COLLECTION 2021
In a setting resembling a garden overlooking the sea, the Chopard Rooftop hosted its prestigious guests on the panoramic terrace of the Hôtel Martinez. Refurbished for the unveiling of this year’s Red Carpet collection, the surrounding décor highlighted the ‘Paradise’ theme chosen by Caroline Scheufele. The star-studded Paradise Dinner enjoyed the presence of Bella Hadid, Isabelle Huppert, Eva Herzigova and Catrinel Marlon.
This year’s collection features 74 models – one for every year the festival has existed – an ambitious tradition that has endured for the past 14 years. Skilled artisans of Chopard’s Haute Joaillerie ateliers in Geneva accepted Scheufele’s challenge, applying the expertise of more than 30 different crafts to bring to life the beauty of Mother Nature.
A theme dear to Chopard, Paradise, transports us to a surreal and fertile dreamland, thrumming with wild flora, fauna, and the forces of nature itself. It is a realm of infinite possibilities within oneself, shaped by imagination and desire. Talented lapidaries, sculptors, jewellers, gem setters and polishers have created a bountiful Garden of Eden through wearable works of art.
A highlight from this year’s collection features an aristocratic necklace with yellow diamonds. The dazzling necklace circles the neck in a choker before draping into a second ring around the decolletage. The exquisite creation is adorned with an exceptional stone – a stunning fancy vivid yellow 30.68-carat diamond which single-handedly defines the opulent splendour of this goldsmith’s paradise.
Another delightful creation is a delicate tsavorite sautoir necklace with a leaf-shaped pendant. Inspired by the wonders of the ocean, waves of sapphires take form around a dolphin ring that depicts the fanciful creatures dancing around 59-carats of oval tanzanite. Caroline Scheufele also created a colourful bracelet. The central motif glitters with garnets, tsavorites and tourmalines.
Among the Chopard Haute Joaillerie collections, the Red Carpet collections best reflect Caroline Scheufele’s curious and wondrous view of the world. The series highlights the extraordinary work of the maison’s master artisans, emphasising the creativity, genius and expertise required to deliver a collection of this magnitude. The commitment Chopard demonstrates with the Red Carpet Collection is an overwhelmingly positive indication of the maison’s continued devotion to its passion for cinema and classic jewellery-making.