Chaumet at Cannes: Noah Schnapp, Li Bingbing, and Gillian Anderson Bring the Light of Paris to the Capital of Cinema

Every May, France finds itself with two capitals: Paris, the City of Light, and Cannes—the undisputed capital of global cinema during the two weeks of its legendary film festival. While there are many ways to traverse the Hexagon, journeying from the relatively flat northern plains to the rolling peaks of the south, no route this summer is more splendid than the jewelry avenue connecting Place Vendôme—home to the historic maison Chaumet—with the sun-drenched coastal jewel of the French Riviera.

The elite of the silver screen have traversed this metaphorical avenue toward Cannes, where the world of cinema draws exquisite high jewelry masterpieces from around the globe to the ivory mansions of La Croisette for a few fleeting, dazzlingly luxurious days.

Noah Schnapp

Having successfully "saved Hawkins" in Netflix's $20 billion flagship franchise, no dark forces could stop the Stranger Things star from making his way to France. Noah Schnapp made his grand debut on the Cannes stage, riding on "gem-set wings against a azure sky" with a stunning, gemstone-encrusted blue tit brooch from the "Jewels by Nature" collection. By choosing this petite bird—a minor sovereign of the vast skies spanning from Europe to Western Asia—Chaumet subtly nods to the soaring career of the 21-year-old actor, whose global fame skyrocketed after a single defining role.

The "Jewels by Nature" collection draws inspiration from the natural world and the profound botanical passion of Empress Joséphine—the great love of Napoleon Bonaparte and the eternal muse of the Parisian jeweler.

Li Bingbing

Following her appearance alongside Song Hye Kyo and Gulf Kanawut on the green carpet at Chaumet’s high jewelry presentation last April, the acclaimed Mainland Best Actress continued her journey with the Parisian jeweler on the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival. Showcasing an enviable, statuesque silhouette at the age of 53, Li Bingbing paired a shimmering silver strapless gown with the Joséphine Valse Impériale High Jewelry collection, bringing the breathtaking elegance of a legendary "Four Dan, Two Bing" icon to the prestigious steps of the seventh art.

The pear-shaped diamond motif featured in this exquisite Chaumet set represents Empress Joséphine’s most cherished gemstone cut.

Gillian Anderson

A television icon and two-time Primetime Emmy winner, Gillian Anderson—who famously captured the hearts of millions of viewers in Vietnam through The X-Files—commanded the lenses of the press and photographers not once, but twice, drawing all focus to her jewelry. The leading lady of Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma, which premiered at Cannes, elegantly donned Chaumet’s Soir de Fête, Amour d'Aigrette, and Joséphine pieces. On a subsequent day, she transitioned to a distinctively curated look: earrings from the new high jewelry collection "A Journey Through Nature" paired with a vintage 1926 bracelet from the heritage archives, courtesy of the French maison that has traversed Paris's most beautiful eras.

Beholding the noble jewelry and the sophisticated, artistic evening gowns of the American actress, cinephiles caught fleeting glimpses of Anderson’s iconic, career-defining roles—from the razor-sharp investigator Dana Scully to the "Iron Lady" Margaret Thatcher.

The Cannes Film Festival, which ran this past May 12 to 23, also bore witness to Leïla Bekhti, Vassili Schneider, Alexander Ludwig, Amy Jackson, Miguel Bernardeau, and a host of other luminaries carrying the Parisian radiance of Chaumet from intimate hotel suites to the grand red carpet. In doing so, they forged yet another brilliant link between over 245 years of high jewelry craftsmanship and the art of cinema.