Inspired By | Chopard’s Animal World

For their 150th Anniversary, Chopard retained Ron Wendt Design to create an event environment around the theme of Animal World. The black-tie event would launch the fine jeweler’s newest collection, which featured 150 one-of-a-kind designs that were inspired by fauna from around the globe such as a koala shaped diamond ring and cognac diamond monkeys swinging from a gemstone-laden vine.

Without hesitation we knew The Garden Court at The Frick Museum would be the perfect backdrop for their VIP celebration because of its old world setting. For the event décor, we played on the concept of the Garden of Eden and replicated the various habitats of the animals featured in the jewelry. We fabricated custom rectangular dining tables with burlwood framed mirrored tops.  The tablescapes were collections of woodland tree stumps which served as vases that held exotic lady slipper orchids, fern shoots, ivy, succulents and water lilies.

We created jewelry vitrines on oval columns, which showcased the Chopard pieces, to represent trees in a forest with vines growing around them.  Topped with the clear acrylic bonnets, each jewelry suite  presented an organic tableau inspired by nature with real organic tree stumps or stones to support the jewelry. In the case of the “arctic” collection, shells, white coral and molten glass rock chucks were used to simulate glacial environments. In place of a “red carpet,” we custom dyed a moss green carpet runner leading in to the Garden Court.

For the after party, we wanted a departure from the dinner and the exhibition of jewels so we gave the music room a face lift by creating a cool and sexy environment for a performance by John Legend and the hip music of DJ Mia Moretti. The existing decor of the museum had a very heavy Edwardian mood. We modernized it by doing wall to wall white carpet, bringing in white banquettes Philippe Stark Ghost chairs and coffee tables. White anemones accented the tables and two large Palm arrangements flanked the piano where Mr. Legend performed. The room was flooded with lavender light by Frost Lighting.

It was an incredible celebrity-filled evening with attendees including Gwenyth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Christina Ricci, Natalie Cole, Georgina Chapman, Claire Danes and socialite Fernanda Niven, decked out glamorously in Chopard jewels, of course!

GUEST BLOG by Ron Wendt and Philip MacGregor of Ron Wendt Design

For over a decade, Ron Wendt and partner Philip MacGregor have worked with high end luxury and fashion companies and private clients to create tasteful, memorable and beautiful events.  To contact Ron Wendt Design, contact 212-290-2428.

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Ron Wendt Design