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Straits Times

Take a peek at Cartier's by-invitation-only Nature Sauvage high jewellery showcase

By invitation only for top clients, the showcase marked 30 years of the French luxury jeweller's presence in Singapore. PHOTOS: CARTIER SINGAPORE – The past week, Singapore played host to global stars and millions of dollars worth of exquisite jewels. On April 21, journalists and celebrities descended on the historic Former Command House in Kheam Hock Road to preview the third and final chapter of Cartier's Nature Sauvage high jewellery collection. A visual feast of fauna realised in precious stones and metals, the collection draws from the animal kingdom while blurring the lines between figure and form. In a game of hide and seek, panthers, elephants and tigers playfully reveal and conceal themselves in forms both abstract and naturalist. Nature Sauvage premiered in Vienna in June 2024, with a second chapter unveiled in Shanghai in November, before making its way to Singapore. By invitation only for top clients, the showcase marked 30 years of the French luxury jeweller's presence in Singapore. The choice of Former Command House was fitting too. Once the residence of British military officers, the historic site was transformed to house the pieces across six curated universes, each one inspired by a facet of Singapore's Peranakan culture. No expense was spared in outfitting the space with 10 private viewing salons – as well as Les Moments Cartier, a dedicated room for discovering the brand's savoir-faire – designed in collaboration with local and regional artisans. Home-grown furniture retailer Rooma supplied the rattan and wood furnishings handmade by Indonesian craftsmen. Les Moments Cartier, a dedicated room for discovering the brand's savoir-faire. PHOTO: CARTIER Singaporean artist Mike Tay from Onlewo, known for its storied patterns inspired by the Republic's local cultures, created unique fabrics that were applied on soft furnishings ranging from ottoman seats to woven wall panels. And in a tribute to batik's role in Singapore's rich textile heritage, Cartier commissioned Malaysian sisters Swee Lin and Swee May from Maneknya to create a bespoke batik print that playfully conceals the Cartier fauna. The resulting print adorned cushion covers and silk square wall art in three colourways. The maison capped off the week with an intimate gala dinner for its top clients at National Gallery Singapore, which was graced by global stars including South Korean actor and Cartier ambassador Byeon Woo-seok, and British actress Gemma Chan. South Korean actor Byeon Woo-seok (left) and British actress Gemma Chan at Cartier's Nature Sauvage gala at the National Gallery Singapore. PHOTOS: CARTIER The Straits Times got a peek at the showcase, which runs till May 3, and its highlights. A high jewellery adventure The journey through Cartier Nature Sauvage opened with Thrill with the Wind, a room inspired by the island breeze sweeping through Singapore's shorelines. PHOTO: CARTIER The journey opened with Thrill with the Wind, a room inspired by the island breeze sweeping through Singapore's shorelines. Curved, textured walls echoed the flowing movement of sand, and served as a backdrop for show-stopping pieces including the Red Astralis necklace, in white gold set with a centerpiece rubellite, moonstone, rubellite beads and diamo nds (price upon request for all pieces). Eagle-eyed visitors might have flitted to the Chryseis necklace that hid black-and-white butterfly wings within its intricate play of onyx and diamonds, anchored by a 63.76-carat rubellite. The Red Astralis necklace (left) and the Tutti Karonda necklace. PHOTOS: CARTIER But all eyes were on the Tutti Karonda set, a modern take on Cartier's Tutti Frutti glimmering with rubies, emeralds and sapphires – and the most expensive piece in the showcase. Around them, rising from the landscape were towering Super Flowers woven in rattan, a not-so-subtle nod to i conic symbols of Singapore's cityscape – and a poetic marriage of old (the organic craft of rattan) and new (the man-made Supertrees). Leaving the coastal winds behind, visitors entered Treasures of Land, a room highlighting the urban jungle's mix of nature and structure. Drawing from Singapore's architectural vernacular, the room reimagined angular lines and geometric silhouettes in conversation with sculpted rattan pebbles, soft curves and a graceful orchid. Treasures of Land highlighted the urban jungle's mix of nature and structure. PHOTO: CARTIER The treasures held here were of the feline kind. Taking centre stage were statement necklaces featuring Cartier's emblematic panther. Pantheres Versatiles, which debuted on the neck of American actress Zoe Saldana at the 2025 Oscars, is a modular collar necklace which – with the help of a matching bracelet with a twin panther head – transforms into a piece of shoulder jewellery. Also prowling within the display was the Panthere Canopee, which features a diamond panther lazing on a bed of foliage while guarding a 26.53-carat Ceylon sapphire. The Cartier Pantheres Versatiles necklace (left) and the Cartier Panthere Canopee necklace. PHOTOS: CARTIER For fans of purses, there was Panther in the Jungle, a Singapore-exclusive satin evening clutch with a detachable jewel that doubles as a brooch. The thematic rooms ended in Shapes of Water, a deep cerulean zone anchored by an installation depicting the ebb and flow of water. Shapes of Water was anchored by an installation depicting the ebb and flow of water. PHOTO: CARTIER The subtle, dancing movements of the piece caught the light reflecting off the brilliance of the room's creations – including Eusuchia, a set of lifelike crocodile earrings and ring in yellow gold with light blue tourmalines, emeralds and diamonds. Another highlight was the Echina necklace and earrings, crafted with coral-studded emerald ribbed beads and juicy sapphires to resemble sea urchins. Lying surreptitiously in the corner and not to be forgotten was the White Hana, a milky quartz brooch later worn by Lovely Runner (2024) star Byeon. The Cartier Echina necklace. PHOTO: CARTIER Beyond high jewellery, the other three rooms showcased the brand's artistry and expertise. Celebrating the maison's cherished designs over the years, Cartier Tradition offered vintage pieces – acquired, documented and restored to preserve their craftsmanship – for sale to avid collectors. Horology enthusiasts got their kicks in the intimate cove adjacent, which held Cartier's fine watchmaking universe. The rounded architecture of the room was meant to evoke the perpetual motion of time, while arches adorned with straw marquetry in a radiant sunray motif paid tribute to the sunray dial. The watches themselves perched on woven bamboo pillars that stood as metaphors of resilience and grace. Horology enthusiasts got their kicks in the room which held Cartier's fine watchmaking universe. PHOTO: CARTIER In the final Special Order room, imagination took flight as clients were invited to co-create bespoke pieces with their choice of loose stones. Paying tribute to culture and individuality, the room was inspired by colonial residences and Peranakan shophouses, with colourful ceramic tiles depicting Cartier's fauna. Amanda Chai is style correspondent at The Straits Times, where she covers all things fashion, beauty, luxury and retail. 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