English Version | Spoil Me: In Wonderland

‘Once upon a time...’, three words that were part of our childhood and which, whenever spoken, heralded entry into imagined realities where anything was possible. Capable of transporting us to the most distant worlds - enchanted forests, faraway kingdoms, mystical animals and fantastic creatures with magical powers - the creatures with magical powers - fairy tales have become part of our collective imagination, passed down from generation to generation. It is in this supernatural universe that Caroline Scheufele, Chopard's Co-President and Artistic Director, found inspiration for the Red Carpet Collection 2024 - shown on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in May - to create exceptional pieces that mirror these diverse wonders. Entitled Contes de Fées, the collection is made up of 77 unique creations, corresponding to the festival's edition number, where the jewels are reimagined and designed in harmony with enchanted nature, uniting Scheufele's love for cinema with the delicate beauty of her pieces.

The most eagerly awaited event in the maison's jewellery calendar, born out of a relationship that began in 1998 where the craft of jewellery and cinema go hand in hand, this is a story that unites creativity with experience. With a culture deeply rooted in the animal and natural kingdom, present in the various Haute Joaillerie collections, Chopard has sought to honour the various aspects of life and its various expressions. Thus, in a story dedicated to the stunning scenery that surrounds us, not only in its most emblematic figures, but also in its details, the house celebrates the various aspects of organic beauty. This year, with an enormous appreciation for the enchantment of imaginary nature and the unique mastery of the Swiss house's craftsmen, this relationship is elevated to a new dimension where dreams reign supreme.

As an ode to the most dazzling moments that life offers us, the collection's creations, which come to life through the actresses who shine on the red carpet, are true testimonies to the power of nature. With meticulous processes, the result of exceptional attention to detail and the unique savoir-faire that characterises the Swiss jeweller, these pieces unite the mystical with the real, in a multiplicity of tones and shapes. From a sculptural necklace inspired by an oak tree - a symbol of strength and power - to the most delicate, equally significant figures, such as the butterflies that are part of the enchanted world where small animals are often the protagonists of great adventures, here creativity is unleashed in all its forms. For the creatures inherent in fantasy tales, it's the fairies and unicorns that evoke a supernatural magic and open the doors of our imagination.

As such, through a wide range of materials whose characteristics are meticulously crafted, the jewellery highlights the pleasures of life and adds a timeless refinement unique to the signature of its creators. In a harmonious interplay between precious metals such as white and rose gold, and a selection of valuable stones including tsavorites, sapphires, diamonds, rhodolites and aquamarines, Chopard reflects its unrivalled craftsmanship with incredibly detailed creations. In addition, the use of titanium throughout the collection evokes the brand's bold spirit. Although this is an unconventional material in traditional jewellery, Chopard, in search of new ways to expand its creativity and overcome technical limits, has opted for its use. It has two particularly beneficial characteristics: its lightness, which makes it possible to create pieces that would be impossible to design in gold due to their size and weight, and the possibility of being dyed in different shades through anodising, giving it a chameleon-like character.

Thus, transporting us to the enchanting places that nature creates and unveils, Contes de Fées brings to life the magical dreams of childhood. With captivating pieces whose shapes and colours evoke the mystique of the imagination, it is through narratives like these that Chopard reaffirms its essence as a true artisan of emotions.

Translated from the original in Vogues Portugal’s Jewelry Supplement from the What's next? Issue, published December 2024. Full stories and credits in the print issue.