70 YEARS OF JEWELRY AND CAPRI
Seventy years of elegance, creativity, high manufacturing quality, tradition, values and passion. An anniversary to celebrate with the same passion and enthusiasm that marked Chantecler’s birth on a summer sunny day.
Chantecler is a High Jewelry Maison founded in 1947 in Capri, the beautiful island in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea.
Renowned for its virtuosity in creating extremely refined handcrafted jewels with the finest materials, this brand from Capri has enchanted international jet-setters, royal families, celebrities and fashion icons since the Dolce Vita era, right after the Second World War, when Italy underwent a unique moment of joy and unrestrained wealth, of passion and levity aimed to overcome the recent horrors.
On this Island, where the scent of jasmine is stronger than anywhere else, where the smile of a woman is wider and more charming, where the flavor of lemons is unforgettable, the tradition of an old family is perpetuated throughout time. Nowadays Chantecler is managed by the three Aprea brothers: Costanza, Maria Elena and Gabriele, all preserving the pure Spirit of Capri with the same purity and originality passed down by their father, through innovative everlasting creations, unique High Jewelry pieces and exclusive and iconic prêt-à-porter jewelry.
Chantecler is based in Milan, with boutiques in Capri, Cortina, Tokyo, Astana and Hong Kong and dealers in more than 15 countries worldwide.
History
At the end of the Forties, Pietro Capuano, son of Neapolitan jewelers, opens the first jewelry store on the island along with his friend Salvatore Aprea, a young, stubborn man from Capri with a creative talent. In those days, Capri was living a unique and unforgettable fairytale, attracting all the most beautiful and famous women, the wealthiest men, the most sophisticated thinkers.
Hollywood divas, travelers, blue bloods, poets, lovers: all charmed by the possibility of living their dreams, all guests of a never ending party with the irreverent and beguiling Pietro Capuano, nicknamed Chantecler by his friends, like the rooster in Edmond de Rostand’s play that, with his call, had the extraordinary power of evoking the dawn.
Uninhibited, eccentric, master of ceremonies, Capuano was the emperor of Capri’s nights, confidant of the divas and accomplice of lovers.
The international jet-set prominent figures take with them from the island of the Dolce Vita amazing jewels that show the manufacturing ability and the preciousness of materials. Jewelry is original, vital, light-hearted like the Island that witnessed their creation.
While an uncontrollable excitement bounces on the Faraglioni and the clamor of the parties resounds in the famous Piazzetta, in the exclusive upper class crowd, on the high society stages, Chantecler creations become symbols of the elegance and magic of Capri. Jewelry conceived for women with a strong personality. This sparkling vivacity is still the main inspiration for Chantecler’s creativity. This happy mood can be detected in each single jewel, bravely original, manufactured with all the High Jewelry decrees.
Expression of the “Made in Italy” excellence, Chantecler jewels arise from the inner capacity of creating something extraordinarily extravagant, marked by its unmistakable allure.
Capri and the Chantecler Divas
Situated in the Gulf of Naples, Capri extends on an area of 10 square kilometers and is also known as The Blue Island, mainly because the sea around it has a natural incredible shade of colors.
The notoriety of Capri dates back to the Roman Empire: Caesar Augustus was one of its first admirer, followed by the emperor Tiberius who chose the island as his residence. But the Fifties are the key moment for Capri’s worldwide fame: the after war years full of joie de vivre, eccentricity and light-heartedness. The years when the Italian cinema was fighting against the industrial standardization through a homage to life and love. In this sparkling, Capri becomes the center of the international jet-set, the Island of fashion and amusement.
The famous “Piazzetta di Capri” is the cultured center of the island, earning the nickname of “world’s living room”. Such a special location was the main inspiration for Chantecler’s philosophy, made of an epicurean love for life.
The first jewelry store Pietro Capuano and Salvatore Aprea opened in Capri in 1947 quickly became a must see for the fashionable world populating the island. Liz Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Maria Callas, Rita Hayworth, the Persian Empress Soraya and Princess Grace of Monaco all fell in love with Chantecler jewels, increasing worldwide the notoriety of the brand. Also Jacqueline Kennedy became a regular customer of the Capri boutique: in 1970, the Greek ship owner Onassis took the former First Lady to Chantecler and bought her a priceless diamond star.
The beauty of the Island, its magic and joie de vivre can be found in all Chantecler jewels, that embody its wonderful and endless shades, colors and scents.
High Jewelry
All Chantecler collections originate from the High Jewelry tradition, which was never turned down by the brand. Pietro Capuano was inspired in creating his jewels by the woman who was supposed to wear them. Unique pieces, with rare gems, carefully chosen one by one, worn by Divas, princesses and prominent figures of the international jet-set.
Necklaces in diamonds and turquoises like the blue sea of Capri; sapphires recalling the starry night sky; emeralds unrivaled in dimensions and color. Rare pearls and materials of the Neapolitan tradition.
Today, Chantecler is still a perfect balance between High Jewelry and unmistakable style.
The Maioliche are brightly painted terracotta tiles that decorate the Island of Capri, making it more charming, picturesque and happy. These typical tiles have inspired this unique collection. A mix of precious materials: white mother-of-pearl or kogolong, oval faceted rubies or sapphires, precious diamonds, bright turquoise, gold and titanium, together for an unforgettable outcome.
Campanelle
Campanelle is for sure the most iconic and representative Chantecler collection, bearer of an ancient legend of joy, fortune and success.
Story goes that, a very long time ago, Saint Michael helped a poor and desperate shepherd who was looking for his lost only sheep. The Saint, appeared in a ray of light, took a small bell off his neck and gave it to the young boy. “Take it” he said “and follow its jingle, that will protect you and bring you good luck”. That is how the young shepherd found its sheep.
The legend repeated itself in 1944 when Chantecler molded a bronze bell and gave it to the American President Roosevelt’s attendant to mark the hope for a lucky ending to the Second World War. Nowadays this bronze bell is kept and displayed in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in New York. Moreover, in 1950 Chantecler created the first Campanella jewel, the Première, a precious gift for the Countess Edda Ciano. From that moment on, Chantecler creates an original Campanella for each special occasion, like the Daisy for President Obama’s daughters or the Italian Campanella in white gold and green, white and red agate.
Precious stones pavé, in gold and diamonds or in hard stones, Campanelle are small craftsmanship masterpieces to wear and to collect, enhancing each woman’s style, personality and mood, in an endless mix and match.
Marinelle
Straight from the sea that surrounds Capri and its pristine water come the Marinelle, small playful High Jewelry masterpieces, a perfect match of precious stones and craftsmanship tradition.
A collection consisting of wonderful charms, earrings and rings, inspired by the sea creatures that inhabit the blue Mediterranean Sea. Lively whales, sparkling octopuses, astounding jellyfishes, joyful turtles and funny crabs, colorful and precious. The stones that better enhance the inner nature of these creatures are aquamarines, quartzes, turquoises, sapphires, all surrounded by gold and diamonds.
The extraordinary Chantecler jellyfish, turned into amazing long drop earrings, charms and rings, is defined by its unmistakable style: moving tentacles and sparkling precious stones shades give these jewels a strong personality.
Aquamarine, pink opal, turquoise, red coral, diamonds pavé – many different shades for an eccentric jewel. Small sculptures capable of making anyone smile at a first glance.
Cherie
Long sensual sautoirs, enlightened by finely set diamonds, are the perfect representation of the Capri style. A pleasant balance between diamonds and hard stones, in the colors of the Mediterranean tradition or in the more subtle black and white tones, find its epitome in refined bracelets and cocktail rings. Rounded shapes, very feminine and chic, warm color shades and classic style, these are all elements of this extremely successfull collection. The bracelets are flexible and each sphere is enlightened by bright diamonds enhancing its color. The rings, in two different versions, carry the diamonds pavé typical of the High Jewelry tradition. The sautoir enchants any woman with its preciousness and incredibly balanced proportions, a promise of elegance.
Capri 1947
Inspired by the collection created by Chantecler in 1947 in occasion of the opening of his first boutique-atelier, Capri 1947 embodies all the values and passions of that time. Those were years of great creative excitement that this Chantecler collection celebrates with refined and ancient craftsmanship tradition, based on substance and relief. Capri 1947 is also a celebration of the iconic Campanella shape, in bigger dimension and more elaborate stones setting. Once again, Chantecler amazes for its never-ending creativity: a perfect example of the elaborate and unrivalled Made in Italy. Capri 1947 underlines the harmonious contrast between precious and hard stones in incredibly light jewels; cut in a classic cabochon shape, the stones are set in different patterns and dimension, for a perfect result of movement and three-dimensionality. An elegant irruption in the daily routine, so typically Chantecler, a detail, a flick of light, a refined interpretation of a classic jewel.
Logo
Life takes us in many different places, but when you fall in love with Capri you want to take it always with you. From over thirty years Logo represents Capri, the Piazzetta and all the emotions the Blue Island offers to its visitors.
Logo is a historical collection, born in 1983 and has been enriched throughout the years by new subjects. From the Faraglioni to the Rooster, from the diamonds Mermaid to the King Frog for the more romantic ones. Jewels to be worn with the unique style and the typical Capri irony.
The perfect souvenir for preserving the good memories of the island of Love. Yellow gold, white gold and diamonds create important charms and earrings. The Chantecler Logo decorates this collection along with the name of the island that saw its birth. Capri lives with all its extraordinary beauties in a magical collection.
Paillettes
Chantecler daily extraordinary is embodied in these colorful jewels, full and rounded, recalling the colors of the Dolce Vita and the shape of delicate flowers. Sparkling sequins (paillettes) become the petals of pale pink, aqua green, black or pure white flowers. A smooth gold circle surrounds the colorful enamels creating a cascade of small petals. Earrings, rings, long chains, a refined variety for this buzzing collection. Anywhere, anytime, jewels for a daily happiness.
“ANIMA 70”
For its 70 years Chantecler launches the Anima 70 collection, celebrating the brand’s DNA with its most iconic symbols.
These beautiful jewels represent a special encounter between the most famous collections that made the history of Chantecler, such as Campanella, Rooster, Logo, Corno (horn) and Joyful, all embodying the irony of the Pure Spirit of Capri and its typical colors: coral, turquoise, kogolong and onyx, for a contemporary Chantecler look.
The style evolves then in a modern twist, with long light chains to be wrapped around the neck, a way of wearing precious jewels in a more fashionable way. Multi-charms bracelets carry all the symbols, making them lively contemporary.
This “anniversary” collection also presents some new models such as the small Campanella lobe earrings or the diamonds hoop ones, rulers of the latest fashion trends.
Despite this modernity, Anima 70 still preserves the attention to details and the constant search for high quality typical of Chantecler’s goldsmith tradition.