Bijoux et musique

The dream of the

Art maker

When my aunts or neighbors asked me as a small child what I wanted to be when I grew up, I answered art maker. By this I understood an artist who sings, plays and speaks, but also directs, paints and designs costumes and stage sets. After many years of doing one or the other on and off, I have been bringing all disciplines together with bijoux et musique since 2015, fulfilling my childhood dream.

Drawing of Samuel Kopp at the age of 4 1/2 years

Bijoux et musique I

Jewelry and Music | A history of costume jewelry in the 20th century.

At the age of four, Samuel Kopp heard an opera by Mozart for the first time and has been devoted to classical music ever since. Almost simultaneously, he discovered that cleaned toothpaste tubes can be used to make jewelry from gold-plated zinc sheet and glass stones. His second passion was awakened. Later, while studying music, he apprenticed with goldsmiths and took jewelry classes. In 2015 he started with a first show
bijoux et musique
a combination of designer jewelry and music. Selected ladies and gentlemen demonstrate jewelry and dresses of the whole 20th century, including the master of the house’s own creations, while he plays the piano, sings and comments on the jewelry.

Bijoux et musique II

Ladies Choice | The second episode of “bijoux et musique” is dedicated to the creativity of female designers. Again, three ladies demonstrate couture jewelry to classical piano music, presented and explained by Samuel Kopp. The show is rounded out by a conversation with famed designer BillyBoy*, whose Bettravissant necklace created for Lauren Bacall is featured in the closing image.

Bijoux et musique III

Joie de vivre | Samuel Kopp again takes us through the history of costume jewelry in the 20th century, with conversational support from Milan-based jewelry expert Roberto Brunialti, who has authored several standard works on American costume jewelry. This time mainly male designers are represented from Louis Rousselet to Dior, Givenchy to YSL, from Trifaris Alfred Philippe to Coro, Kramer, Mazer, Napier, Sandor, Schreiner and Vendôme, from Giuliano Fratti to William de Lillo. The younger generation is also prominently represented with Kenneth Jay Lane, Tom Binns, Hervé Van der Straeten and Stefano Poletti.

Bijoux et musique IV

La maison privée | The fourth episode of Bijoux et Musique is dedicated to the home of Samuel Kopp and dedicated to his partner. In scenes that could have taken place here since the house was built in 1906, dresses, accessories and especially jewelry from Samuel Kopp’s private collection are on display. Among them are important designers of the 20th century such as Balenciaga, Baretti, Carnegie, Chanel, Cis (Cissy Zoltowska), Dior, Fratti, Jean-Pierre, Kuborn-Grothe, maison Gripoix, Rousselet, Scémama, Schiaparelli, Schlumberger, Saint Laurent, Vautrin … As in the other three episodes, the host accompanies the scenes with commentary, singing and piano playing.

Bijoux et musique V

Christmas Special | The fifth episode of Bijoux et musique, Christmas Special, is again set in the home of Samuel Kopp and his partner. Eleven different feature film scenes showcase jewelry, accessories and costumes from 1920 to 1970. It begins with a scene entirely dedicated to Coco Chanel and ends with a festive Christmas scene. Among the designers whose works are shown are Baretti, Carnegie, Chanel, Coppola e Toppo, Dior, Fratti, Goossens, Harmon, Haskell, Jean-Pierre, Joseff, Kuborn-Grothe, Luciana de Reutern, maison Gripoix, Napier, Rosenstein, Rousselet, Schiaparelli, Schlumberger, Schreiner, Spratling, Trifari, Vrba, YSL, and many others.v.a. Again, the host leads through the film with commentary, piano playing and singing, and shows a few of his own creations. A house organ also sounds in two scenes for the first time.

Voices to
"Bijoux et musique"

"Of course the shows and the movies are great and of best taste but the very best ... is Samuel himself, great friend, gentleman, musician, performer, jewelry collector and jeweler himself, art lover. As long as people like Samuel exist in a world that seems to be getting worse and worse, not everything is lost."

Paola and Roberto Brunialti, Milano, April 2023 Author of American Costume Jewelry, Art & Industry, 1935-1950

"Bijoux et Musique is a delightful escape into the fantastic world of Samuel Kopp. The music, the costumes and the divine jewelry transport you to a fantasy that only a true connoisseur like Samuel could imagine. If you're not already gaga for vintage jewelry and classical music, you will be after watching Bijoux et Musique!"

Susan Stringer, Los Angeles A Connoisseur's Collection on Ruby Lane

"Dear Samuel, let me express my admiration of your amazing jewellery collection. Your film left me speechless. Your couture collection is truly unique and beautifully curated. The pieces are presented in your film with superb taste, light humour and warmth - and with an astonishing knowledge of the subject. Their visual beauty is perfectly complemented by the sublime musical accompaniment."