For its 50th anniversary, Chopard’s Happy Diamonds took over the Maison’s Fifth Avenue boutique in New York, transforming the space into an exhibition dedicated to the collection’s creative legacy. Held from 18 to 20 September 2026 during New York Fashion Week, the presentation brought together five decades of jewellery, watches and creative references in one setting.
A Journey Through Happy Diamonds
Rather than presenting Happy Diamonds through a single campaign, the exhibition offered a closer look at how the concept has evolved since its introduction in 1976. Visitors encountered rare jewellery pieces, emblematic timepieces, original sketches and archival documents, creating a visual journey through the collection’s history.
At the heart of the story is Chopard’s original idea that “diamonds are happier when they are free”. In 1976, the Maison introduced free-floating diamonds inspired by sunlight shining through the spray of a waterfall. The movement of the stones became the defining expression of Happy Diamonds, establishing a playful design language that would continue to shape the collection for decades.
From Happy Clown to Happy Sport
The exhibition traced that evolution through creations from the 1970s to the 1990s, including the whimsical Happy Clown and Happy Sport, introduced in 1993 under the creative vision of Caroline Scheufele, Chopard’s current Co-President and Artistic Director.
The historical pieces offered a glimpse into the changing expressions of Happy Diamonds, while retaining the free-moving diamond concept that established the collection’s identity.
Heritage Meets New Creations
What made the presentation particularly relevant was the dialogue between these historical pieces and Chopard’s newest designs. Among the contemporary highlights was Happy Sport The First, a faithful reinterpretation of the groundbreaking 1993 design. The exhibition also introduced new rectangular Happy Diamonds pendants, giving the familiar motif a sleek, geometric silhouette.
This meeting of past and present reflected the exhibition’s broader purpose. Rather than treating Happy Diamonds as a chapter confined to Chopard’s archives, the presentation demonstrated how its original creative principles continue to inform the Maison’s jewellery today.
A New York Fashion Week Moment
The exhibition was further brought to life through new images and films from Chopard’s latest Happy Diamonds campaign. Caroline Scheufele, together with Maison Ambassadors and campaign stars Bella Hadid and Liu Wen, were among the first to experience the exhibition.
For Scheufele, the timing was significant. Bringing historic creations together with the Maison’s newest designs during New York Fashion Week created a natural setting for a conversation between heritage, creativity and reinvention. She described the presentation as a way to celebrate Happy Diamonds’ extraordinary heritage while highlighting its continued relevance for new generations.
The Next Chapter of Happy Diamonds
Chopard’s New York exhibition offered more than a retrospective. By placing archival creations alongside contemporary interpretations, it illustrated the enduring creative potential of Happy Diamonds and how an idea born in 1976 continues to move freely into its next chapter.
