ENCAPSULATING that precious golden hour where the sky dissolves away the blue to let in hues of pink, mauve and blazing oranges, is precisely what Chanel’s new high jewellery collection was inspired by. Aptly titled Reach for the Stars, the designs combine a streamlined mixture of architectural prowess with opulent intricacy.
Spearheaded by Patrice Leguéreau and the Chanel Fine Jewellery Creation Studio, they foregrounded: “We wanted to create pieces of jewellery that are illuminated by the rays of the sunset and beyond, with those colours blazing across the horizon. Capturing that magical moment between day and night when High Jewellery sparkles on the skin”.
Blazing Star Necklace
The scope of the collection spans chokers and open necklaces, to between-the-finger rings and asymmetrical ear pendants – not forgetting to mention tiaras also. Volumes are played with and lightness hides however, elegance runs rife. Whilst at its core a monochromatic colour palette brings shape to the pieces, between the black-and-white, flamboyant stones bring life to Gabrielle Chanel’s trio of motifs: comet, wings and the lion.
Dreams Come True Necklace
The notion of the lucky star has held its place in Chanel’s history since ‘Bijoux de Diamants’, Gabrielle Chanel’s first and only high jewellery collection in 1932. It was here that the star etched itself into the design language of the brand and has remained a guiding force ever since.
For Reach for the Stars, the comet has been reinterpreted and lengthened to accentuate the power of its scintillations – found in the Dazzling Star choker, Dreams Come True necklace, Five Star rings and Twin Stars bracelets.
Pretty Wings Necklace
Wings of Chanel Necklace
Full Swing Tiara
Making a debut, wings finally find themselves centre stage in high jewellery. Taken from the founder’s interview in the September 1938 issue of Vogue France where she intently stated: “If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing”.
Approaching this with precise attention, the House has crafted openwork pieces that due to their curves can effortlessly move to embrace the body – like the Wings of Chanel necklace with diamond wings that unfold around the neck and centres a pinky-orange 19.55 carat Padparadscha sapphire. The Pretty Wings earrings echo the lace of the Full Swing tiara that sits on the base of the forehead and frames the face.
Strong as a Lion Rings
Embrace Your Destiny Necklace
Finally, the lion makes a roaring return. Interpreted in two variations for this collection, the first focuses on the head with its mane a constellation of stars to form a sparkling medallion – aptly titled the Strong as a Lion set. The second, is a more sculpted execution of its profile that is found in Embrace Your Destiny, with a necklace and pear-shaped diamond matching earrings.
Translating Gabrielle Chanel’s personal charms to today’s decadent taste for extravagance, Reach for the Stars is another example of Chanel’s place as leading high jewellery tastemakers.
by Imogen Clark