Timothée Chalamet stuns in custom candy-inspired Cartier necklace at ‘Wonka’ global premiere

The reptilian necklace comprises 969 precisely-cut cabochon precious stones – onyx, emeralds, rubellites, pink tourmalines and blue opals, bringing the delicious world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory to life

England: Timothée Chalamet’s red-carpet look for the worldwide premiere of ‘Wonka’ on November 28 set the internet ablaze, and for good reason. The actor arrived at London’s Royal Festival Hall looking every bit the eccentric genius chocolatier who runs the wild, wondrous, and storied Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

Chalamet was dressed in a magenta velvet suit from Tom Ford’s Spring-Summer 2024 collection, but all eyes were drawn to the custom, reptilian Cartier necklace that fit snugly at his throat – the glittering product of a personal collaboration between the in-house ambassador and the Parisian jewellery maison, and 450 hours of painstaking work.

Chalamet spent hours combing through archive Cartier imagery before traveling to Paris to meet with Marie-Laure Cérède, creative director of jewellery and watchmaking, at the atelier months before the premiere. The actor was taken by the maison’s bespoke creations in the ‘60s and ‘70s which were expressive, colourful and playful.

Cut to the necklace inspired by the decadent candied world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. The necklace combines a white gold base with a staggering 969 precisely-cut cabochon precious stones – onyx, emeralds, rubellites, pink tourmalines and blue opals were positioned by hand in an intuitive, unplanned fashion, a process Cérède likened to painting, or ‘a meditation.’

The distinctive colour combination – pale blues contrasted against strong pinks is meant to be a visual feast, drawing viewers into the bold and audacious world of the film, and Chalamet’s own fluid, edgy and gender-neutral approach to fashion and jewellery.

Once his Wonka promo wraps, the spectacular piece will become part of the Cartier Collection, and be displayed at jewellery exhibitions around the world.

Courtesy: Vogue