Last summer, in celebration of its wheat-inspired ‘Les Blés de Chanel’ high jewellery collection, Chanel transformed the Place Vendôme in Paris into a field of wheat. Created in collaboration with the artist Gad Weil, the installation featured maze-like geometric sections of sheaves, encased in black plinths. Now, the concept has been transposed to the house’s New Bond Street boutique in London, for a special showing of pieces from the 'Les Blés de Chanel' collection.
The New Bond Street installation in London includes screens and mannequins featuring projections of nature, from wheat fields to the night sky
The potent symbolism of wheat – prosperity, fertility – appealed to Coco Chanel so much she furnished her 31 rue Cambon apartment with depictions of it. Gilded wooden sheaves lined table legs, and golden bundles of wheat framed her fireplace, a design touch captured by Cecil Beaton in a 1967 illustration. Salvador Dalí even gave an oil painting to the designer, comprising a single golden ear of wheat.
The 'Les Blés' high jewellery designs includes an ear cuff, that gently curves around the ear, and a single grain brooch, an echo of Dalí’s oil painting. Lush tourmalines, peridots and emeralds, and yellow diamonds and sapphires, reflect the colour spectrum of a wheat field in summer.
Sheaves of wheat lining the second floor staircase at Chanel's New Bond Street boutique in London.
The London boutique installation brings not just the designs to life, but also the plinths of wheat in which they are displayed. Behind each case, projections of the sky feature on screens and mannequins, from gently blown fields on a summer’s day, to a star-filled night sky, emphasising the collection's focus on the cycle of nature. A swing laden with sheaves is a pretty visual centrepiece, while shadows from the installation are reflected onto the floor. A classical soundtrack fills the air, while a sweet perfume heightens the atmosphere and adds a finishing golden touch.
Left, painting by Willy Fleur, 1966. Courtesy of Chanel Patrimoine Collection and Gabrielle Chanel. Right, 'Premiers Brins' necklace in 18ct white gold, set with a 1.5ct brilliant-cut diamond, five marquise-cut diamonds for a total weight of 1.3ct and 484 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 15.9ct.
Left, details in Coco Chanel's apartment on 31 rue Cambon. Right, 'Fête de Moissons' bracelet.
Sheaves of wheat lining the second floor staircase at Chanel’s New Bond Street boutique in London.
Left, 'L’Épi' brooch in platinum and 18ct yellow gold, set with baguette-cut, marquise-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds, coloured stones and coloured paving. Right, Epi de Blé, by Salvador Dalí, 1947.
INFORMATION
-
Audi launches AUDI, a China-only sub-brand, with a handsome new EV conceptThe AUDI E previews a new range of China-specific electric vehicles from the German carmaker’s new local sub-brand
-
Inside Izza Marrakech: A new riad where art and bohemian luxury meetHonouring the late Bill Willis’ hedonistic style, Izza Marrakech fuses traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with the best of contemporary art
-
Clocking on: the bedside analogue timepieces that won’t alarm your aestheticWe track down the only tick-tocks that matter, nine traditional alarm clocks that tell the time with minimum fuss and maximum visual impact
-
What happens when a Chanel watch becomes a sound machine?Meet the Chanel Première Sound – an adaptable necklace with a watch and removable earphones
-
Chanel shows its sporting colours with a bold high jewellery collectionChanel's high jewellery collection is inspired by its founder’s athletic aesthetic
-
Art takes London: Tiffany & Co, Damien Hirst and artists take over Selfridges' windowsFour British contemporary artists celebrate Tiffany & Co's pioneering history with a series of storied window displays
-
Late summer jewels: what to wear at Golden HourLate summer signals a jewellery style-shift. These independent designers have got it covered
-
Chaumet, Cartier and Chanel up their high jewellery watch game for 2024In 2024's high jewellery watch designs, performance tech and centuries-old techniques combine to brilliant effect
-
Skeletonised watches are making a dazzling return in 2024Skeletonised watches return, once again opening up their dials, letting us enjoy mechanical watchmaking at its intricate finest
-
All smiles: How a grillz jewellery making class in London became an international hitWhat started as a passion project quickly exploded in popularity. We get the story behind the grillz-making workshop at Cockpit London
-
Dark watches show it’s time to embrace an inky paletteDiscover new dark watches from brands including Audemars Piguet, Omega, Chanel and Tudor
