Chanel's Reach for the Stars high jewellery debut in Kyoto: how the house drew inspiration from Gabrielle ‘Coco' Chanel's take on Hollywood glamour for one of its ‘most important' collections
high jewellery collection in Stockholm , Chanel invited a select group of clients, editors and celebrities to Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital, for the reveal of its new Reach for the Stars collection.
The range is not just a homage to the celestial bodies that have long been a signature of the house's jewellery repertoire, but also a nod to its founder's background.
In her one and only high jewellery collection – unveiled in Paris in 1932 –
Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel famously used motifs such as the comet for a constellation-inspired line of diamond-embellished pieces that has gone down as one of her most remarkable achievements.
Advertisement
Wings of Chanel necklace in white gold, platinum and natural polished diamonds with a cushion-cut Padparadscha sapphire. Photo: Handout
A couple of years earlier, the designer had travelled to Hollywood, where she designed costumes for movies such as Tonight or Never (1931), starring Gloria Swanson. That short stint in Tinseltown was the starting point for Reach for the Stars, which celebrates Hollywood's golden age and its stars.
Pretty much every single piece – from the cheekily named Take My Breath Away and Dreams Come True sets, to the Wings of Chanel necklace – is meant for a
glamorous red carpet
'This collection is almost like a dress code,' president of Chanel watches and fine jewellery Frédéric Grangié explained in an interview in Kyoto. 'When I look at the collection and recall some of those movies, I feel that some of the pieces are like evening dresses. It's a very glamorous collection, but when
Coco Chanel was in Hollywood she treated glamour in a completely different way. She was coming from a couture background as one of the greatest designers ever, and created very light dresses with a focus on the back and also silk or muslin sleeves, which gave them a 'winged' silhouette.'
The comet is back as a leitmotif, appearing in some shape or form in every single piece, but Reach for the Stars truly shines in its introduction of a new motif that Grangié alluded to: the wing.
The Take My Breath Away necklace in pink gold, white gold and natural polished diamonds. Photo: Handout
Patrice Leguéreau – the late director of Chanel's jewellery creation studio who conjured up this range before his untimely passing last year – was inspired by one of
Coco Chanel 's famous maxims: 'If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
6 pillars for peace to end wars in Asia
For a time, it seemed that economic interdependence had put an end to war between states. When Canadian psychologist Steven Pinker declared in 2011 that such wars had 'almost vanished', many believed the arc of history was bending towards peace. But from Ukraine to the recent Thailand-Cambodia conflict , the resurgence of wars in recent years has shown that we must look deeper at what sustains harmony between nations – and why some regions are so much better at it than others. Southeast Asia, though seen today as a relative oasis of stability and economic dynamism, does not enjoy the same freedom from conflict as North America , for example, where the prospect of war between neighbours is virtually unthinkable. Scholars have long argued that economic integration, particularly through trade, lessens the risk of conflict. There is truth in this. Since World War II, trade has indeed proven a powerful force for peace and prosperity. But in a rapidly changing world, trade alone is no longer enough to guarantee security. New, more robust mechanisms are needed to ensure that tensions between nuclear powers, especially, are contained. There is cause for hope. The European Union and North America are living proof that deep integration can bring lasting calm. Realistically, there is little to no prospect of armed conflict between the states that make up these regions. But can the rest of the world replicate this? And if so, how? European Union flags fly in front of the the seat of the European Commission in Brussels. Photo: dpa Six pillars for integrated peace
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong suspends bottled water deal with mainland firm, files police report
Hong Kong authorities have suspended a newly granted drinking water supply contract with a mainland Chinese company and reported the matter to police. Advertisement The Government Logistics Department said on Saturday that it doubted Xin Ding Xin Trade Company could fulfil its obligations under the 36-month contract, which was granted to it just two months ago. The agreement stipulates the supply of bottled drinking water to government offices on Hong Kong Island and some outlying islands, starting from the end of June. It was one of the first contracts of its kind granted to a mainland firm, beating long-time supplier, AS Watsons Group, a subsidiary of Li Ka-shing's CK Hutchison Holdings. 'Due to operating information recently obtained about Xin Ding Xin Trade Company, the Government Logistics Department does not believe that the company will be able to continue performing the contract and has decided to suspend it according to the terms of the contract,' it said. 'The department will continue to follow up on the case seriously, so it could take further action, including whether to terminate the related contract. The Government Logistics Department has already referred the matter to the police for investigation.' Advertisement The department noted that AS Watson would temporarily take over and supply water to the affected government offices from next week.
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong suspends drinking water supply deal with mainland Chinese firm, calls police
Hong Kong authorities have suspended a drinking water supply contract with a mainland China-based company just two months after granting it, reporting it to police. The Government Logistics Department said on Saturday that it doubted Xin Ding Xin Trade Company could fulfil its obligations under the 36-month contract requiring the supply of bottled drinking water to government offices on Hong Kong Island and some outlying islands, starting from the end of June. It was the first contract of its kind granted to a mainland firm, beating long-time supplier, AS Watson. 'Due to operating information recently obtained about Xin Ding Xin Trade Company, the Government Logistics Department does not believe that the company will be able to continue performing the contract and has decided to suspend it according to the terms of the contract,' it said. 'The department will continue to follow up on the case seriously, so it could take further action, including whether to terminate the related contract. The Government Logistics Department has already referred the matter to the police for investigation.' The department noted that AS Watson would temporarily take over and supply water to the affected government offices from the next week.
