ON THE 75TH birthday of the Cannes Film Festival, Chopard debuted 75 pieces as a tribute to the movies in its Red Carpet Collection entitled “I Love Cinema.” Julia Roberts wore two pieces from the collection, including a diamond dazzler of a rose brooch with a black jacket and tulle skirt. The other piece was a colossal yellow diamond centerpiece pendant necklace — the pendant weighing over 100 carats — that she wore with a different ensemble. In both cases the fashion served as the perfect backdrop for the piece.
The rose brooch, of which I am in awe, being a brooch enthusiast, was a nod to Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights, according to Chopard. The jewelry and watch company has been a partner of the Cannes Film Festival for 25 years under the creative guidance of Caroline Scheufele, Chopard’s co-president and artistic director.
Roberts’s look for the brooch brought a few trends into focus: the mixing of feminine and masculine elements, such as the diamond rose shimmering from a structured tailored jacket; the fascination with floral designs, particularly roses, in different incarnations in diamonds and gemstones; and the return of brooches to the renowned jewelry houses, many of which have reinterpreted past designs.
Roberts looked radiant in the rose with her hair pulled back and her complexion flawless. I loved that she didn’t need to “do it up” with more jewelry. This allowed her to shine as she lit up the room with her feel-good smile and wholehearted laugh.
Those who want a similar look can choose antique, vintage or modern brooches, perhaps with old cut diamonds.
You can also go the feminine/masculine route with more structured tuxedo jackets, crisp white shirts and floral earrings or botanical pendants or rings in different colors of metals and/or gemstones. And you can choose from garden variety florals or exotics — it’s all out there to try. I would stick with the brooch (pun intended).