“A great Cartier piece has its own story,” says Sofia Coppola, who would recognize an unforgettable narrative if she saw one.
The filmmaker behind such dreamy masterpieces such as The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, and Marie Antoinette is a major fan and ambassador of Cartier.
As a longtime collector of the jewelry from Cartier (among those on rotation are her Trinity and Love bracelets and a Panthère ring—the last one a gift from her husband, Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars), she is very excited to accept the proposal. “There’s something very cool about their style; it’s not overly ornate. It’s just classic and timeless.” Seeing as her own works have stood the test of time, this pairing looks like the perfect match made in joaillerie heaven.
’O Your father gave you your first Cartier watch, didn’t he?
Actually no. I remember buying my first Cartier watch – a mini tank one – when I had finished filming Marie-Antoinette (2005) I often do that after a big project. I buy myself a treat to remember it by. So I went into the shop and found this miniature one.
’O Why did you choose a Cartier watch?
I’ve always loved the feeling to Cartier: living in Paris, chic Parisian women, and Yves Saint Laurent. The watch represents chic and sophistication but is also very wearable.
’O Any flashy moments wearing Cartier?
Recently I’ve had fun wearing their Art Deco earrings, dangling with diamonds. They’re beautiful and I got to wear them for my Cartier bingo party and the Marrakech Film Festival when giving an award to Bill Murray. I never wear earrings but they were so beautiful. There’s something fun about wearing jewelry. It gives a spark and you feel a thrill.
’O What about American women nowadays?
With all these super minimal clothes, I feel that women want to wear jewelry again. A simple shirt and a really beautiful necklace: there’s nothing like a little piece of jewelry to liven things up. I love jewelry. And I feel that the older you get, the more you can wear it.
’O You mentioned a whiff of decadence in wearing Cartier jewels.
There is an air of decadence at Cartier. Maybe it’s the Parisian thing. This Menotte bracelet that I have is a handcuff. It’s made of heavy, heavy platinum and diamonds. There’s something naughty about it.
’O The panther became an emblem for Cartier in 1914. A hundred years later and the choice remains apt. What do you personally like about the panther?
I love that it remains Cartier’s iconic motif. The panther is playful, sexy, and a bit dangerous. I like the idea of the panther on a bracelet, playing around your wrist. Thomas, my husband, gave me a little panther ring. It has little emerald eyes. There’s something decadent and playful too: a folly aspect.