Gear up for lots of lights, camera and action later this month as the annual Cannes Film Festival kicks off on May 17th. Since 1998, Chopard has illuminated the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals with its scintillating high jewellery pieces adorning the world’s most renowned actresses during the montée des marches ritual. It even has a festival home: the rooftop of the Hôtel Martinez, a classy respite from the bustle along the famed Promenade de la Croisette, where it hosts celebrity friends and guests.
Most emblematic of this relationship, however, is the coveted Palme d’Or trophy, designed and produced by Chopard since 1998. As part of its journey towards sustainable luxury, the house has been using Fairmined gold for the award since 2014.
The partnership began when Pierre Viot, then festival president, entrusted Caroline Scheufele, Chopard’s co-president and art director, with redesigning the Palme d’Or. Twenty-five years later, Scheufele is overseeing a special Palme d’Or inspired by a past design in honour of the festival’s 75th anniversary. In addition, the house is producing all the rock crystal awards that will be presented to the other winners at the closing ceremony.
There’s also the annual Trophée Chopard, founded by the house in 2001 and awarded to two young acting talents. Designed and manufactured by Chopard’s haute joaillerie workshops, it is shaped like a film spool and celebrates the art of filmmaking and the future of cinema. Recipients have included Marion Cotillard and Diane Kruger, who presented the award to the next generation of talents a few years later.
Likewise, Chopard is also celebrating the festival’s 75th edition with its annual Red Carpet high jewellery collection. The Chopard Loves Cinema suite, drawn from Scheufele’s memories of her favourite movies, features 75 pieces, corresponding to the number of editions of the festival, that will be unveiled in Cannes. One of its highlights is a diamond-set rose brooch evoking the one Charlie Chaplin wore on his lapel in City Lights, one of his greatest masterpieces. Its silhouette pays homage to the graphic black and white images of Chaplin’s films. There is also a ring shaped after Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage that demanded more than 100 hours to produce. Composed of spessartite garnets and tsavorites, the ring opens to reveal the legendary diamond slipper hidden within.
“Chopard’s commitment to cinema is the result of a shared vision and long-term collaboration with the organisers of the Cannes Festival. In 24 years, I have been privileged to witness special moments in the world of cinema and a lot of emotions… [In these] 11 days, we are gathered in the enchanting setting of the Bay of Cannes, and yet we take pleasure in being confined inside a cinema to discover films inspired by love and passion, as well as by drama, struggles, and social issues,” says Scheufele.