The poster for the 66th Cannes Film Festival shows the rapturous embrace of one of Hollywood's most enduring partnerships, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. But there's another long-standing collaboration that we see year after year on the French Riviera: Chopard and the Cannes Film Festival. Since 2007, Chopard has been official partner of the festival, and not only does the luxury Swiss jeweller unveil a new Red Carpet collection of haute joaillerie every year, the Palme d'Or award is also designed by Caroline Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard.
In keeping with the festival's age, the new Haute Joaillerie Red Carpet collection will feature 66 pieces, many of which are dedicated to the theme of love. Even thought the festival is more than a month away, Chopard has revealed the first Red Carpet piece: a heavily bejewelled flower ring in platinum, set with rubies, tsavorites, emeralds and coloured diamonds. "Diamonds continue to rule the red carpet," says Ms. Scheufele, who, as always, designed this latest Red Carpet ring. The new collection is sure to keep that sentiment alive and kicking.
Caroline Scheufele has guided Chopard's craftsmen in the creation of the coveted Palme d'Or since 1998, which was awarded to the Greek film 'Eternity and a Day'. The beauty of the Palme d'Or is that it is, in essence, a work of art celebrating another work of art, albeit in different mediums. The 18ct gold stem, adorned with leaves, appears to have caught a light breeze as it rests on a crystal cushion shaped like an emerald-cut diamond. Last year's 'Amour' took the big prize, but with the full selection yet to be announced, this year's winner is anyone's guess. What we do know is that, on the 16 May, the festivities will get under way with a bang when Baz Luhrmann unveils his long-awaited 'The Great Gatsby', starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan.
