Of all the world’s many stellar high jewellery house locations, there are but a few as revered as 18 Place Vendôme, the heart of Chanel High Jewellery

It goes without saying that Gabrielle Chanel’s Parisian vigour, and affection for the City of Light, stems from her love for the iconic Place Vendôme. Having resided in suite 302 at The Ritz in the grandiose square for more than 30 years, it has undoubtedly inspired much of Chanel's creations: the iconic shape of the Chanel N°5 perfume bottle, as well as the face shape of the fashion house's Première watches. It was so significant to her in fact, that Chanel High Jewellery found its permanent location at 18 Place Vendôme.

(Related: The True Story of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel: The Childhood That She Never Wanted You to Know)

Home to the most glamorous things imaginable, the atelier has showcased many a captivating jewellery line that mirrors Gabrielle Chanel’s swank and spirit. On this imaginary journey, guests are invited to look into the very core of Chanel High Jewellery, through the maison’s recent high jewellery collections, that show off their distinctiveness and artisanship; true testaments to how emotional value is of utmost importance in the world of Chanel.

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1.5 - 1 CAMÉLIA. 5 ALLURES

Not far behind Chanel’s epochal CC logo is the iconic camellia blossom. Gabrielle Chanel was drawn to the flower’s stunning simplicity, as its symmetrical petals unfurl in near perfectness. Because of her attraction to it, the flower has been seen brandished on the fashion house’s bags, clothing, shoes, and even jewellery.

The 2019 1.5 collection, with 50 pieces in total, is an ode to the camellia, clearly seen in blooms set in vines of gold, which twinkle alongside diamonds, pearls, rubies, and sapphires. Twenty-two pieces in the collection can be worn in various ways, depending on the wearer’s choice in style; an intentional decision that calls back to Gabrielle Chanel’s personal creativity with the camellia.

Of the objects that adorn her, she has once said, “My (jewels) are flexible and detachable [...] You can take apart the jewellery and use it to match a hat or fur. In this way, the set of jewellery is no longer an immutable object. Life transforms it and bends it to its needs.”

(Related: 10 Stunning High Jewellery Instagram Accounts You Should Follow)

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L’ESPRIT DU LION

A bold yet elegant ferocity escapes the L’Esprit du Lion collection, which roars to life in shining detail. Dripping in gold, with the fiery head of a lion seen in practically every piece, this is a collection that pays homage to Gabrielle Chanel’s Zodiac, and fondness for symbolism.

Having been born under a Leo sun on August 19th, Chanel took her star sign to heart, and epitomized a lion’s ambitiousness and confidence. Her love for Venice is due in part as well to the lion symbol that is associated with the city. Because of her attraction to the king of the jungle the lion has been seen on Chanel suit buttons and bag clasps. In L’Esprit du Lion, it takes centre stage in clear cut regality. 

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Café Society

Launched in 2014, Chanel’s Café Society collection harkens back to the glamorous days of the roaring twenties. Inspired by freedom and the urge to create, pieces in this collection borrow from art deco’s pomp and show; highly stylized geometric shapes and patterns are set in black onyx, gold, and diamonds. Each one is striking and mesmerizing in its own right, with silhouettes that are both clean and daring all at once. The ingenuity of this collection recalls Gabrielle Chanel’s never-ending quest for beauty.

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1932

In 2012, 80 high jewellery pieces were introduced as a way to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Bijoux de Diamants collection. Appropriately named 1932, the set of jewellery dwells on the original collection created by Gabrielle Chanel in 1932.

Pieces take their cues from the shapes that Chanel was drawn to most: cosmic stars and suns, dainty fringes, bows, and feathers, and the majestic lion. The shapes in the collection call back to a past time, and are presented in hues that are bold yet feminine—and that sparkle with lines of diamonds, sapphires, and pearls.

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