Tatler+ Chaumet
Cover girl Cindy Bruna pays homage to empress Joséphine with Chaumet’s diamond-decked high jewellery
There’s something about tiaras that sparks a frenzy of excitement, which supermodel Cindy Bruna recently experienced firsthand as Chaumet’s newest collaborator. Aged just 15, Bruna was discovered by one of the fashion industry's most iconic photographers, Steven Meisel, and has since graced the covers of countless magazines. Despite her young age, Bruna shows a maturity beyond her years and is a fierce supporter of Solidarité Femmes, an association that helps survivors of domestic violence.
The Parisian jeweller has chosen Bruna to represent its emblematic Joséphine collection, which draws on Chaumet’s historical relationship with Empress Joséphine, the wife of Napoléon Bonaparte. Inspired by her independence and progressive personality, the maison created several tiaras and ceremonial jewels for the royal consort, who was a great connoisseur and collector of the finer things in life.
Today, the Joséphine collection continues to explore its majestic past with a selection of new pieces including tiara-inspired rings and red-carpet-ready headpieces. The Joséphine Aigrette ring is topped with pear-cut aquamarine in sky-blue, while the playful Joséphine Duo Éternel ring showcases asymmetrical shapes set with brilliant-cut diamonds.
Further exploring the boundless possibilities of colour, the Joséphine Aigrette Impériale solitaire boasts an intensely-saturated sapphire, totalling two carats, which is supported by spirals and swirls of platinum. Precious materials remain important to Chaumet, as evidenced by creative combinations of white and rose gold—the latter, for example, is used for the elegant Joséphine Aigrette timepiece, which comes with an exquisite engraved dial.