Er, ahem, both of us started out at the same time, you could say. Forty years ago Philippe Charriol came to Singapore, with Les Must des Cartier, for Metro, then our main street’s top department store. The Frenchman from Paris was one of my first interview subjects.
Ten years after, he created his own company, the eponymous brand of Charriol timepieces and jewellery and leather goods, and even a perfume. Since, Maison Charriol Geneve has sold 1,350,000 watches, 2,400,000 pieces of jewellery, 600,000 handbags, and warehouse-ful of belts, pens, spectacles. I am still doing interviews.
With a tap of Charriol scent behind my unadorned ears, I met Philippe Charriol again, he was here to showcase his Baselworld 2013 collection. Let me just say – Charriol senior has a very dishy-looking tall dark and handsome son, Alexandre. Alexandre is the visual director in the family-run business. Philippe’s daughter Coralie is creative director and his wife Marie-Olga does the public relations. How and when do you ask for a raise?
According to Alexandre, Coralie used to model for the catalogue. “But she is now too old, and too expensive!” the brother joked.
Charriol is famous for his iconic, patented, gold and steel cable designs in his pieces, an homage to the ancient Celts. Within the signature C of the Charriol cachet, are a set of icons – non Internet ones – a curiosity.
The Frenchman is honest. “My grandfather was born in India, and I am not sure, but I think it is a pair of kris, knives. It was his crest”
The Charriols make their homes where the business is. “Paris, Geneva, New York, and one-third of the time in Asia, for the Chinese, you know.” Underlining the fact that large nations dictate the luxury business.
Charriol’s Baselworld 2013 include Celtic, Celtica, St-Tropez, and the Colvmvus collections.
Charriol boutiques are located at #01-36G Raffles City Shopping Centre and #01-55A The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
