Cannes 2026: What Jewelry and Watches on the Red Carpet Reveal About the Future of Luxury
While coverage of the Cannes Film Festival usually focuses on the biggest names and the most spectacular diamond weights, it’s often worth taking a look at the less obvious stories. That’s why INSIGHT-LUXURY deliberately focuses on a small selection of examples that offer a particularly good glimpse into current trends.
And it is precisely these aspects that will be noteworthy in 2026: luxury is increasingly defined by design, craftsmanship, and a distinct creative identity. The focus is not on the size of a gemstone or the complexity of a movement, but on the story an object tells—though, of course, it can still be large if necessary.
Cover photo: Malgosia Bela and Pawel Pawlikowski wearing Piaget (Getty Images)
Leo Pizzo: Design, Not Just Carats
Leo Pizzo provides a good example of this. Supermodel Irina Shayk showcased the new Sinfonia collection with a spectacular aquamarine necklace, whose true appeal, however, lies not in the center stone but in the interplay of baguette and brilliant cuts. The collection tells a story of rhythm, light, and balance.
The Maison took a different approach with actress Sveva Alviti and the Flora Collection. Here, the focus is on floral motifs and organic shapes—a trend currently seen at many high-jewelry houses.
Both presentations demonstrate that high jewelry is increasingly defined by inspiration, design, and craftsmanship—not just by carat weight.
Piaget: Where Watches and Jewelry Converge
Piaget used Cannes as an opportunity to showcase one of its long-standing strengths: the fusion of watchmaking and jewelry craftsmanship.
Together with Gabrielle Caunesil, the Maison unveiled the Swinging Sautoir Watch—a rose gold jewelry watch set with malachite, emeralds, and diamonds, designed to be worn like a piece of jewelry.
Gabrielle Caunesil wearing a Piaget Swinging Sautoire (Getty Images)
Actress and Piaget ambassador Gianna Jun also made an appearance wearing a combination of high jewelry and timepieces, including the Piaget Treasures High Jewelry Watch and Earrings.
Gianna Jun wearing Piaget Treasures earrings and a watch (Getty Images)
It is especially on the red carpet that it becomes clear just how blurred the lines between jewelry and watches have become. Watches are increasingly being showcased as part of a jewelry ensemble—and not just as timepieces.
Vanguart: The Watch as a Design Object
The independent Swiss brand Vanguart took a completely different approach. Helena Christensen wore the new Pink Ceramic ORB, a watch that makes a statement less through classic watch design and more through its sculptural form.
Helena Christensen wearing Vanguart Pink Ceramic ORB
Vanguart thus exemplifies a trend that is particularly evident among independent brands: watches are increasingly viewed as objects in which form, materials, and emotional appeal are just as important as technical design.
More about identity, less about status symbols
Of course, it is impossible to draw definitive conclusions about the industry’s future based on just a few select appearances. However, for decades, Cannes has been regarded as a barometer of trends in fashion, jewelry, and luxury goods.
What stands out most in 2026 is that many brands are focusing less on size and status and more on design codes, craftsmanship, and brand recognition. The key question seems to be shifting from how valuable a piece of jewelry or a watch is to why it is distinctive.
That could well be one of the most significant luxury trends of the coming years.
This trend has been emerging for some time now. Whether it’s the jewelry trends for 2026, the discussions at Jewellery Geneva, or the growing range of customization options for jewelry and watches, luxury is increasingly defined by identity, craftsmanship, and design. Cannes 2026 is now bringing this trend to the red carpet as well.
