As promised in Monday’s post, here is a closer look at the incredible accessories that make up the CHANEL Métiers d’Art 2019/2020 Paris- 31 Rue Cambon collection. I’ll let the pictures speak mostly for themselves, but I would be remiss in not filling you ladies in on these very special pieces.
Among the many, many reasons that I find the Métiers d’Art collections particularly special are the accessories that accompany them. Drawing from each individual collection’s theme, they are a beautiful combination of classic CHANEL and whimsy. It was the 2009 Métiers d’Art collection that first captivated me and introduced me to this annual collection. Titled PARIS-MOSCOU, Monsieur Lagerfeld showed pieces that were inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s relationship with the Russian émigré society that took root in Paris during the post-Revolution years of the 1920’s and 1930’s. The collection was downright spectacular, truly art in it highest form. There were references to Fabergé eggs, Byzantine jewelry, Slavic folklore, Imperial opulence, and Soviet structure and it all came together in total perfection. I was TOTALLY obsessed and convinced that since my mother’s family came from Russia during the turn of the century, this collection was part of my culture patrimony. Admittedly a bit of a stretch, but there was no way I wasn’t going to get something from this collection. Lucky for me, I stumbled across a gorgeous slouchy style bag from the collection that is stitched with the famous onion domes of Red Square. To this day, it’s still one of my most beloved bags.
I’ve adored each subsequent CHANEL Métiers d’Art collections since my first foray into these pieces, but I must say, this most recent one has quickly become a favourite. The accessories in particular are a triumphant celebration of all that is special about CHANEL. Jewelry is sumptuous and features so many of the classic CHANEL codes like pearls, gilt chains, camellias, Byzantine crosses, and the iconic interlocking “CC”. Shoes are done in the classic CHANEL two-tone, with some even featuring a delicate bow. As for bags, the classic 11.12 and 2.55 style are shown in a variety of fabrications with the BOY CHANEL and CHANEL GABRIELLE shown in mini sizes and worn as jewelry. The CHANEL 19, a recent addition to the CHANEL universe and an instant hit, was another standout of the collection and tops my personal wish list. However, the true star of the collection was the elegant minaudière in the shape of a gilded birdcage. Directly referencing a little bird cage in Mademoiselle Chanel’s 31 Rue Cambon apartment, the very inspiration for the collection, it is a literal piece of artwork.
It’s most likely quite obvious that the CHANEL Métiers d’Art 2019/2020 Paris- 31 Rue Cambon collection has totally captivated me. Much like with the 2009 PARIS-MOSCOU collection, the obsession is real. So real, that I might have even texted my SA screen shots of photos from the PR platform as soon as I received it following the show. Let’s just say, I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for a wish-list item. Or two.
