Who needs shoes when the jewels are this extraordinary?

Caroline Scheufele, co-president and artistic director of Swiss jewellery maison Chopard, shares some of her favourite red-carpet moments

By Rachael Taylor

Chopard has been an official partner of the Cannes Film Festival since 1998, and has a reputation as a jeweller to the stars. What has been your favourite red-carpet moment at Cannes so far?

“I have experienced very magical moments on the red carpet. In 2016, for example, Julia Roberts, who has become a friend and Chopard brand ambassador over the years, climbed the famous stairs to the Festival Palace barefoot wearing a gorgeous piece from the Red Carpet Collection. She said that with such a valuable and extraordinary emerald necklace, she didn't need shoes.”

Chopard also supports emerging talent at Cannes, doesn’t it?

“Yes. Every year since 2001, we have awarded the Trophée Chopard to two young up-and-coming actors who will play a role in the international films of tomorrow, thereby giving them a stage. Marion Cotillard, Diane Kruger, and Léa Seydoux were among the award winners – still unknown to the general public then. Their first appearances on the red carpet, of course wearing Chopard jewellery, are always associated with many emotions.”

Chopard titanium Flower earrings set with opal cabochons, rubies, diamonds, and pink, yellow and orange sapphires, from the Caroline’s Universe Red Carpet High Jewellery Collection 2025.

The Chopard Red Carpet Collection gets bigger every year – why is this?

“Since 2007, the Cannes Film Festival's 60th anniversary, we have demonstrated every year our ability to produce a high-end jewellery collection consisting of as many creations as the festival counts years. It is a very ambitious challenge for my team. The Red Carpet Collection is designed to shine on the steps of the Festival Palais while adorning the most beautiful actresses at the official screenings.”

The Garden of Kalahari collection, created in 2017 from a single 342-carat rough diamond sourced directly from the Karowe mine in Botswana, was a milestone moment for Chopard. The results were so spectacular that we chose to make the necklace from the collection the cover image of my For the Love of Diamonds book. What was this journey like for you?

“It was the first time I purchased a rough diamond. I immediately sensed that this stone was an absolute rarity; an extraordinary energy emanated from him. All the steps from mine to creation were brought together under the Chopard umbrella. For all the artisans involved, including me personally, it was a new and intensive experience, and we acquired many new skills during the process. Our various studios outdid themselves on this extraordinary project, and worked together more intensively than ever before. We had tremendous responsibility, and wanted to do justice to the perfection of the diamond in every respect.”

Behind the scenes at Chopard’s workshop, showing the making of the Queen of Kalahari diamond high jewellery necklace.

How has the Kalahari experience impacted you?

“The successful implementation of this unique project motivated me greatly when I decided to purchase the Insofu raw emerald weighing 6,225 carats. The first Haute Joaillerie capsule collection [set with emeralds cut from the rough] was created together with Julia Roberts in 2024.”

As a designer, what would you say the secret to a perfect piece of jewellery is?

“The highest level of artistry and limitless creativity. Everything revolves around the central gemstone; the design flanks it, but should never steal the attention. When the fire and energy of gemstones can be felt, it is a spectacular piece of jewellery.”

Actress Julia Roberts wearing a suite of jewellery from the collection she co-created with Chopard, set with emeralds cut from the Insofu emerald.

This interview with Caroline Scheufele is an edited extract from the jewellery book For The Love of Diamonds by Rachael Taylor, published by teNeues

Main image: Caroline Scheufele, co-president and artistic director of Swiss jewellery maison Chopard.