Grand Opening
Chopard Ginza Flagship Store
On 29th October 2007, the Chopard Ginza Flagship Store opened on Namiki-Dori. It is the first Chopard flagship store in Japan, and also the largest wholly-owned boutique, consisting of three floors of the Chopard Building.
The opening ceremony was held in the presence of Maestro Jose Carreras, and Ayako Kawahara, a leading actress in Japan. The sunset ribbon-cutting was performed by those two renowned guests at the side of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, co-president of Chopard, his wife Christine Scheufele and Shin Takahashi, Managing Director and CEO of Chopard Japan Ltd., that highlighted the beginning of Chopard Japan’s business. Four vintage cars were displayed in front of the boutique, illustrating Chopard’s official sponsorship of the Mille Miglia vintage car race in Italy.
Mr & Mrs Schuefele & Senor Jose Carreras
Mr Takahashi, Mr & Mrs Matsuyama, Mrs & Mr Schuefele
Balloons rising at Opening Ceremony
Guests entered the store surrounded by the angelic voices of a children’s chorus. The grand opening party of the Chopard Ginza Boutique began with the presentation of the boutique. Highlights such as the High Jewelry Salon, and the Men’s Corner were displayed with a wonderful selection of jewelry and watches, as well as unique pieces, which had never been presented in Japan before. These high jewelry pieces are loved and worn by celebrities worldwide, as seen on the Red Carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, of which, Chopard is the official partner.
RECEPTION PARTY
Following the boutique preview, the guests were guided to the Tsunamachi Mitsui Club where the reception party was held. Guests were welcomed with a Red Carpet, leading them to the garden, and also a display of two classic cars which took part in the Mille Miglia race.
Mitsui Club Gardens
Mille Miglia Veterans
The Japanese celebrities walked down the carpet under the spotlights and a flood of flashes; Norika Fujiwara, Noriko Aota, Isumi Mori, IKKO, Shio Chino, to name a few. The highlight of the evening was Ayako Kawahara dressed in a magnificent diamond and emerald high jewelry set. This exquisite presentation was reminiscent of the Cannes International Film Festival.
Norika Fujiawara - actress
Izumi Mori - model
Toshiki Kashu - artiste
Christopher Daniel Peppler - Japanese media celebrity
After the walk through the Red Carpet, the garden was lightened by the objet d’art, mirror balls representing the “Starry Night of Chopard”. The guests entered the Renaissance-style building from the garden. Each room of the two floor building was entirely redecorated in different themes, presenting all facets of the World of Chopard.
Mitsui Club
In the very first room, the “White Room”, the L.U.C Twin Jose Carreras model was presented. The Scheufele family enjoys a longstanding friendship with Jose Carreras and supports his foundation to fight leukemia.
The next room was the “Blue Room” dedicated to the Mille Miglia as Chopard has been an official sponsor of this famous car race since 1988.
The “L.U.C” collection was introduced in the “Black Room”, where the essence of the Chopard Manufacture was presented.
Then came the contrasting “Red Room”, which was inspired by the Red Carpet of the Cannes International Film Festival. This year was the 10th anniversary of the official partnership with the festival, as well as the 60th anniversary of the film festival itself.
In commemoration of these anniversaries, Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, co-president and creative director, introduced “The Red Carpet Collection” consisting of 60 High Jewelry pieces. Celebrities wearing these pieces on the Red Carpet were shown on the screen, illustrating another facet of the world of Chopard as a jeweler.
Mizuka Ueno - ballerina
Finally, in the “Gold Room” located on the 2nd floor, high jewelry pieces were exhibited amongst the Japanese bonsai. In a fascinating atmosphere of “East Meets West”, the luster of emeralds and diamonds responded to the intense green of the bonsai.
Also on the 2nd floor was the dining area and outdoor balcony where you could enjoy the glittering mirror balls in the garden. In the VIP room, the celebrities gathered to greet Mr. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele as well as his wife Christine Scheufele and enjoyed the rest of this memorable event.