Inside the Trophée Chopard Dinner Honoring Odessa A'zion and Connor Swindells

There is no film festival as synonymous with glamour as the fashion-filled fortnight that takes place each May in Cannes —and at the heart of the Côte d’Azur-based extravaganza is its longtime partner, Chopard. It all began when Caroline Scheufele, the Swiss house’s cinema-loving artistic director, opened a boutique in the postcard-worthy town in 1997. Noting that the prestigious prize given to the festival winner could do with a bit of a zhuzh (which is putting it mildly, given that it was made

“Little did I know I would come out with the Palme d’Or and the challenge to redesign it,” she told a crowd who gathered to celebrate her latest couture collection at Hotel Martinez on Thursday night. As always, Chopard’s week was off to a busy, busy start. As soon as the first celebrity steps touches down in Nice airport, it’s likely that they are soon making their way to a plush styling suite to select their red carpet-ready jewels. The house also hosts international friends of the brand, who fly from far and wide to marvel at the 72 different one-of-a-kind haute joaillerie creations that will debut during Cannes. You’ve perhaps seen some of them too: jury member Demi Moore’s opening night necklace was just one of the scene-stealers. On Friday evening, Scheufele was joined at the world premiere of Guillaume Canet’s Karma starring Marion Cotillard by Odessa A’zion, Connor Swindells, and Isabelle Huppert. Hours later, A’zion and Swindells would be honored during the Trophée Chopard dinner; an annual black tie ceremony spotlighting up-and-coming talent. As the latest recipients, the American actress and English actor follow in the footsteps of past honorees Diane Kruger, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Joe Alwyn, John Boyega, Mike Faist, and, of course, Cotillard herself. Huppert was filling the role of Godmother at this year’s event, ready to bestow wisdom on the duo. Success is uncertain, capricious, and sometimes deceptive,” she said. The freedom to choose, to refuse, and to explore. And above all, the freedom to remain faithful to the mystery that brought you here.” “That was horrifying,” laughed 25-year-old Los Angeles native A’zion, after a montage of her critically acclaimed work was presented to the room.

Key points

• “Little did I know I would come out with the Palme d’Or and the challenge to redesign it,” she told a crowd who gathered to celebrate her latest couture collection at Hotel Martinez on Thursday night.
• As always, Chopard’s week was off to a busy, busy start.
• As soon as the first celebrity steps touches down in Nice airport, it’s likely that they are soon making their way to a plush styling suite to select their red carpet-ready jewels.
• The house also hosts international friends of the brand, who fly from far and wide to marvel at the 72 different one-of-a-kind haute joaillerie creations that will debut during Cannes.
• You’ve perhaps seen some of them too: jury member Demi Moore’s opening night necklace was just one of the scene-stealers.