Brand ambassador and singer Cha Eun Woo (All photos: Chaumet)
If the walls of Chaumet’s archives room could talk, they would speak the language of love, courtship, and of course, Parisian savoir-faire. Founded in 1780 by Marie-Étienne Nitot, the storied French brand became the official jeweller to the Imperial court and personal jeweller to Empress Joséphine, after completing the commission for Emperor Napoleon’s coronation sword. The maison's illustrious history as well as centuries-old craftsmanship of creating tiaras, high jewellery and timepieces, can now be experienced at the pop-up boutique at ION Orchard, Singapore, until September 17.
Visitors will first walk through a majestic arch shaped like a tiara before venturing into an iconic Chaumet blue rotunda, where its most iconic collections — Liens, Joséphine and Bee My Love — await.
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The Liens series celebrates the bond between people through a contemporary reinterpretation of sentimental jewellery. The highly symbolic liens, or link, motif signifies the romantic connection between two lovers.
On the other hand, Joséphine takes cue from the ‘Muse of the Maison’ Empress Joséphine, who inspired creations of graceful elegance for more than 200 years. Debuting in Singapore is the Aigrette precious parure in rose gold, set with brilliant-cut diamonds.
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Bees have long been Chaumet’s source of creativity as the winged pollinator is as an imperial emblem of Napoléon. This year, novelties featuring a new Bee My Love precious parure in rose gold glittering with brilliant-cut pavé diamonds have been introduced. The parure consisting a cuff and a necklace will be available in the Lion City.
Even if you were not the lucky 50 who scored a meet-and-greet with South Korean ambassador Song Hye-Kyo and Friend of The Brand Cha Eun Woo during the launch on September 5, there is still a chance to sample the glittering lifestyle they inhabit. Catch a glimpse of Chaumet’s world of tiara making, where nickel silver tiara models, or maillechorts in French — rare tiara prototypes taken from the archive — are on display.
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Shifting to modern times is a contemporary tiara, the Firmament de Minuit inspired by Chaumet's 19th century pieces, with the celestial symbols magnified by fully-paved diamonds, making the metal vanish and the stones gleaming like stars above one's head.
Lastly, rest your tired feet at the Parisian-inspired lounge opposite the pop-up boutique, where registered guests can enjoy a drink and French pastry, or pick out a book to read from the Chaumet library.
As for Malaysia, the brand has announced that it will have its own very boutique come December at Tun Razak Exchange (TRX). Stay tuned for updates.
The Chaumet Pop-up Boutique is available at ION Orchard, Level 1 Atrium until Sept 17. Daily, 10am-10pm. Register for entry here.
