Chopard Joins Couture Federation

Chopard has become the latest ‘jeweler’ member of the Fédération Française de la Couture, du Prêt-à-Porter, des Couturiers and Créateurs de Mode (French Federation of Fashion and of Ready-to-Wear Couturiers and Fashion Designers). To mark its debut on the official schedule of presentations at Paris Couture Week, celebrated late January, the Geneva-based jeweler and watchmaker unveiled new designs from its haute joaillerie collection, including a ‘secret’ watch in the form of a diamond-encrusted hedgehog.

A specimen requiring hundreds of hours of work by the finest talents of the maison’s haute joaillerie workshops, the timepiece forms part of the Animal World collection. The hedgehog’s head is fully set in diamonds, and embellished with two sapphires for the eyes. Its spikes, cut delicately into different heights, are made of moonstone, while a special mechanism opens the animal’s back to reveal a tiny, baby hedgehog holding a watch dial in its paws.

“Haute couture and haute joaillerie share a passion for artistic crafts and nurture a tradition of superlative expertise and meticulous workmanship. It is a great joy for me to have the opportunity to associate our two professions, which produce the most beautiful objects designed to enhance women’s beauty by complementing the most stunning dresses with the most prestigious jewelry”, said Caroline Scheufele, co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, in a statement.

This collection comprises 15 different models featuring an original design and testifying to Chopard’s legendary inventiveness and expertise in the twin fields of fine jewellery and watchmaking. The house will also present the newest pieces from its Green Carpet collection, which, aimed at promoting sustainable luxury, comprises designs crafted of Fairmined gold.