Chanel has unveiled its newest high jewellery collection, Reach for the Stars, celebrating the symbols that shaped the legacy of founder Gabrielle Chanel. The collection reimagines the lion, comet, and for the first time, wings—turning them into modern icons of the house.
Gabrielle Chanel was known for using meaningful symbols long before fashion logos became popular. She boldly wore faux pearls, once seen as improper, and made the camellia flower a signature of the brand. These emblems, found in her Rue Cambon apartment and across Chanel’s fashion, continue to define the maison. Now, with Reach for the Stars, Chanel turns its focus to three powerful motifs, using them to craft 109 stunning pieces—90 of which debut this year.
This collection also serves as a tribute to the late Patrice Leguéreau, who served as Chanel’s director of fine jewellery. “It is indeed a great tribute to him,” said Dorothée Saintville, international product marketing director for watches and fine jewellery at Chanel. “Over the years, he pushed boundaries and raised the level of Chanel fine jewellery, always using the house’s codes in creative ways.”
One of the earliest symbols Chanel used was the comet. First seen in her 1932 Bijoux de Diamants line, it stood for freedom and women charting their own paths. This idea remains strong in Reach for the Stars, where the comet now represents Chanel’s vision of glamour. In the Blazing Star set, the motif appears in elongated gold and onyx designs. The Dazzling Star choker showcases two eye-catching diamond pendants that draw attention to the neckline. “These symbols from Gabrielle Chanel’s universe keep evolving,” said Saintville. “They remain familiar, but new attributes give them fresh meaning in every collection.”
The lion is another key symbol. It reflects Gabrielle Chanel’s astrological sign, Leo, and appeared in her apartment as sculptures and on the buttons of her iconic suits. The lion officially entered the high jewellery line in 2012. In this collection, it returns in two forms: a star-framed medallion with white and yellow diamonds, and a sculpted profile set into delicate, gem-covered pieces like the Embrace Your Destiny necklace. These designs express the lion’s nature—both powerful and elegant. One version presents the lion from the front, the other from the side, with wings and stars surrounding it. “As Chanel used to say,” Saintville added, “it’s about expressing the aura of a person in a simple way.”
The wings are perhaps the most meaningful new symbol in the collection. They appear for the first time in Chanel high jewellery and are inspired by one of Gabrielle Chanel’s quotes: “If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing.” These pieces are light, open, and crafted to move like fabric. Their intricate design merges fine jewellery with couture technique. “The wings reflect the Chanel spirit with clean, graphic lines and elegance,” said Saintville. The standout piece, the Wings of Chanel necklace, features a rare 19.55-carat padparadscha sapphire in pink-orange tones, inspired by a summer sunset. It is the first time Chanel has used this gem in its high jewellery line.
Creating the collection posed major technical challenges, especially with the wings. Artisans had to ensure flexibility in the feathers while keeping the structure light and airy. Saintville highlighted the final piece, the Silhouette clock, as a tribute to both craftsmanship and Gabrielle Chanel herself. The clock stands on a black jade base with an octagonal dial—a nod to the brand’s design. It features a golden sculpture of Chanel, hands in her pockets, dressed in a braid-trimmed jacket and trousers, looking toward the sky. “It took many careful steps, from Leguéreau’s first design of the figurine to the detailed chiselling by expert craftsmen,” said Saintville.
As the jewellery world shifts toward deeper meaning and symbolism, Reach for the Stars arrives at the perfect moment. It reflects the life of a woman who challenged the rules, imagined new paths, and looked to the stars for inspiration. With its rich storytelling, high-level artistry, and enduring symbols, this collection not only pays tribute to Chanel’s past—it carries her spirit into the future. It reminds us that true freedom, like great design, never goes out of style.
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