PUBLISHED ON 16.10.2022

Co-president and artistic director of Chopard, Caroline Scheufele explains the close affinity between her creations and the cinema.

What are the links between Chopard and the cinema?

Ever since I was a child, the 7th art has fascinated me. The beauty and infinite creativity of films led me to become passionately involved in the world of cinema. Over the years, Chopard has become the jeweller of the cinema, and we have a special relationship with all the main stars of this universe. It is a question of preserving the cinematograph heritage, as we did with Cinecittá a few years ago. But also to be present in current creation. For example, Chopard is a partner in many films, and we often work with costume designers to create custom-made pieces. Our universes are similar, it is the same passion and the creation of emotions that drives us. Of course, we have been the historic watch and jewellery partner of the Cannes Film Festival since 1998 and we dress friends of the House of Chopard on the red carpet.

What films have inspired the latest Chopard creations?

This year I chose the theme 'Chopard Loves the Cinema' as the inspiration for the Red Carpet Collection unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival, a collection of 75 jewels freely inspired by the films that have marked my life.  To name but a few, a rose brooch refers to the buttonhole worn by Chaplin in ‘City Lights’, a pumpkin ring opens to reveal a diamond slipper to pay homage to our childhood fairy tale, ‘Cinderella’. I am also a great admirer of Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece, ‘To Catch a Thief’, so I designed a necklace from an exceptional diamond that reflects the spirit of the French Riviera. All of them are references to the masterpieces of the 7th art. For me, the cinema takes you into an emotion that leaves its mark on the memory, like jewels and precious stones.

Why associate Chopard with the Lumière Film Festival?

I greatly admire the work that Thierry Frémaux has done with the Lumière Institute in Lyon, and the creation of the magnificent Lumière Film Festival: it is a festival for film lovers like me! It was therefore natural for me that Chopard should be associated with this celebration of cinema, which is why we have been partners of this beautiful event, since 2015.

Interview by A. D.