It’s not every day we meet an amazing creative and business mogul who is carrying her namesake brand with its history into the future. Coralie Charriol, the dynamic CEO and Creative Director of Charriol, a renowned Swiss luxury brand specializing in watches and fine jewelry, has been at the helm since 2019, following her father’s passing, Philippe Charriol, who founded the company in 1983. With an unwavering commitment to her father’s legacy, Coralie expertly guides the brand’s creative direction and business operations. Recently, she made a significant visit to Kuwait to launch Charriol’s exquisite diamond watches and 18K gold fine Jewelry collection, celebrating the brand’s heritage, craftsmanship, and modern luxury. We sat down with her to learn more about the collection, her visit to Kuwait, and how she thinks the future might unfold.

What inspired Charriol’s new diamond collection, and what makes it unique compared to previous collections?
I’ve been designing jewelry for a very long time and I love it. It’s one of my favorite things that I do, and I’ve designed many collections over the past years. A lot of it is steel and gold-plated, but I wanted to play more with solid 18k gold and diamonds. And since I was born in April, I’m a diamond girl, and I absolutely love diamonds. So when designing, my starting point was still many of the brand’s key motifs dating back 3 or 4 decades, but reworking those designs with 18-karat gold and diamonds as my material. So the collection still bears the codes of the Maison are there, such as the iconic cables we are known for around the world.

How does this collection reflect the legacy of the Charriol brand while embracing modern luxury trends?
Charriol is a 40-year-old brand with a strong identity that uses the cable material, that is made of stainless steel in our factory in Switzerland. It’s a beautiful 27-step artisanal process that is unique to Charriol. So, I believe that if I design using this material which is the DNA of Charriol, I can do anything! It is how I color within the lines, but I can use all the colors I want.

What emotions or stories do you hope the new pieces will convey to those who wear them?
Well, for me, jewelry holds a lot of emotions usually more than clothes. I love clothes, shoes and accessories for sure, but jewelry can really stand the test of time versus high fashion. It holds stories and meaning as you pass them on to your loved ones. When women buy jewelry for themselves, it has meaning. When they get it from somebody else, it has meaning. You can ask every woman you know about each piece of jewelry they’re wearing, and they will have a story. every piece of jewelry carries a story. I love that about it. In addition, no matter what size and shape you are, a necklace or ring or earrings will always fit. At the end of the day , it’s about feeling good and feeling confident.

Kuwait has a strong appreciation for fine jewelry and luxury craftsmanship. How does this collection align with the tastes and preferences of the region’s clientele?
I design for the universal woman, I design using “les codes de la maison” , as well as the brand ethos and heritage. I hope that with the messaging and the design people will feel a connection to the brand, that it’s relevant and meaningful to them. Design, craftsmanship and respectful messaging are the three most important things you need to touch you clientele in Kuwait.

What does it mean to you personally to connect with VIP guests in Kuwait for this exclusive unveiling?
This is the reward of my job, to see and to meet our clients, to talk to them, to tell them the story, to connect with them and to see them try on the products – and purchase something they will wear and use in their daily busy lives – is what I am so grateful for. For me, it’s the biggest compliment I can receive!

As CEO, how do you balance honoring the brand’s design legacy with innovating and pushing Charriol into the future?
It is one of the biggest struggles, and for any brand that has a very specific look. How do you constantly innovate but stay relevant and not lose what you’re known for? That is the magic formula. I think you really must listen to your end consumer. You have to listen to your salespeople on the ground. You must be open. We’re an independent privately-owned family company, so we can react fast to trends and market requests.
I have my finger on the pulse. I know that smartwatches and smart jewelry are trending, that the color gold is of the moment. I know that people’s shopping habits have changed, so we’re changing with them.

Looking ahead, what can Charriol enthusiasts expect in terms of upcoming designs, collaborations, or expansion plans?
Well, the GCC countries for Charriol have always been a vital market. We are still growing after 40 years, and we’ve been in Kuwait for 30 years where Trafalgar Group has supported us for many years. We are also growing very fast in Saudi Arabia – where we just opened our fifth stand-alone boutique in the Kingdom, and our first in Riyadh – and across the UAE. I am in the GCC at least every 6 months, and usually every quarter, to help Charriol to grow in this market – not just with more boutiques, but with new experiences. In terms of new products, I have designed a new ladies “bijoux montre” colelction, which I will unveil at the prestigious Watches & Wonders fair in Geneva Switzerland on April 1st, so stay tuned!

You can find the latest Charriol designs at trafalgarluxurygroup.com. Follow @trafalgarluxurygroup on Instagram so you never miss a launch.