Chaumet bejewels Paris with 12 Vendôme reopening
When history becomes a happening. The Place Vendôme sparkled with excitement on Wednesday night as Chaumet reopened the doors to its iconic 12 Vendôme home in Paris. The opening was also an epic 240th birthday celebration for the brand that for centuries has been the jewelry of choice for royals, empresses and maharajas. The redesign is a return home to the sublime hotel particulier it inaugurated in 1907 after being the first jeweler to call the Place Vendôme home in 1812 at number 15. It also marks a new beginning with a more modern aesthetic and fresh faces breathing life into the timeless designs. For the past year, the Baudard de Saint-James hôtel particulier has been undergoing renovations, revamped by interior designer Patricia Grosdemange to combine the brand’s traditional codes passed down for centuries with a new modern twist and eye on the future. With Paris Fashion Week in full swing, glamorous guests from Paris and across the globe including Coca Rocha, Cindy Bruna, Camila Coehlo, Chriselle Lim and Ana Girardot enjoyed an exclusive look at the sublime space that will officially open its doors to the public on February 29th. Celebrities and influencers from all corners of the world lit up the legendary Parisian square with grace and character, wearing a mix of the brand’s iconic High Jewelry pieces and ready-to-wear favorites. As the guests took a look back at Chaumet’s rich history, the ambiance provided a burst of modernity complete with photo booths tagged 12 Vendôme, tiara filters for Instagram and snapchat and live piano performances in the Salon Chopin from Louise Verneuil and Gael Rakotondrabe in the very same room where Chopin composed his final musical piece. In a nearby room, a grand table was lavishly decorated with a feast for both the eyes and the appetite and next door, the Salon de Diadèmes wowed with its blue walls lined with tiaras. Downstairs, a DJ set by Inès Melia provided the perfect backdrop to explore the boutique decorated like a glamorous Parisian apartment ready to make diamond-studded dreams come true with a jewelry collection called Trésors d’Ailleurs created exclusively for the launch and stunning views of the Place Vendome. Tradition blended seamlessly with modernity as Chaumet’s classic universe of romance, nature and exquisite craftsmanship was on full display. A truly unique experience at the home of a one-of-a-kind House that, even after 240 years, shows no signs of losing its signature sparkle.
Photographers: Jean Picon, Valentin Le Cron, Pierre Mouton, Paul Blind
