SEVENTEEN's Joshua, Song Hye-kyo & More Celebrate with Chaumet debuts at Frieze Seoul 2024

Steeped in a 240-year tradition of reverence for culture and art, the French Maison Chaumet continues to embrace its creative heritage. This year, it embarks on a new journey, intertwining priceless craftsmanship with the pulsating energy of the Frieze Art Fair in Seoul, from September 4 to 7.

At the heart of this collaboration is Heechan Kim, the 2024 LOEWE Craftsmanship Prize laureate. The Korean artist was welcomed into Paris, where Chaumet’s storied halls became his muse. His artistry took shape after months of meticulous work, a testament to his commitment to excellence.

Renowned for his vivid, abstract organic shapes, Kim breathes life into his creations through intricate patterns that evoke the beauty of nature. His works, crafted from rustic materials like traditional Korean "hanji" paper fibers, are woven, joined, and bent by hand—a tribute to nature’s delicate forms.

With Chaumet, Kim revisits his signature biomorphic style, creating a magnificent “cocoon,” a layered masterpiece that unfurls like a chrysalis. It invites viewers to explore multiple perspectives, drawing parallels to Chaumet’s Bee My Love jewellery collection. The honeycomb motif, a Chaumet hallmark, mirrors the industrious spirit of bees—a motif that graces the Maison's bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings with sparkling allure.

Kim’s recent works, inspired by bird nests, insect cocoons, and seashells, resonate with the organic rhythm found in nature. His artistic process, carefully assembling fragments in his New York studio to spontaneously form a work of art, echoes the precision and passion of Chaumet’s artisans in France.

A highlight of this collaboration is the introduction of walnut wood—a first for Kim—imbued with the warm glow of Chaumet’s signature gold, adding a layer of luxury to the natural materials. This exquisite union of art and craftsmanship is displayed within a curated space that seamlessly leads from Kim’s masterpiece to the Bee My Love jewellery and an immersive digital experience.

The star-studded event, with global brand ambassador Song Hye-kyo at the forefront, sparkled with surprise appearances from actress Nana, SEVENTEEN’s Joshua, the group BabyMonster, and actors Lee Joo-been and Lee Soo-hyuk. Dive into the glittering moments below as Chaumet and Kim’s artistic visions come to life!