[The little story of luxury] Chopard's Palme d'Or, an icon of world cinema

For over 20 years, Chopard has been creating the legendary Palme d’Or, awarded each year to the best work in official competition at the Cannes Film Festival. Here’s a look back at a history of dreams and precious metals.

Created in 1939, but launched in 1946 due to the Second World War, the Cannes Festival was originally intended to compete with the Venice Mostra, which was considered too close to Mussolini’s facist regime and influenced by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi policies. Freer and entirely dedicated to art, the Cannes Festival took place in the aftermath of the war, in a traumatized France determined to recover and promote international culture. 18 countries took part in the first edition. It wasn’t until 1955 that the iconic Palme d’Or was presented for the first time.

Under the aegis of Chopard since 1998

Designed by French jeweller Lucienne Lazon, the Palme d’Or was inspired by the coat of arms of the city of Cannes: a silver palm, reminiscent of the palm trees of the chic southern resort, and two fleurs-de-lys. The prize became the emblem of the Festival, the ultimate reward for the film world. In 1984, the Palme abandoned its rounded base for a pyramid shape. It was given a facelift in 1992 under the leadership of Thierry de Bourqueney.