CHANEL Fine Jewelry has recently unveiled its latest collection, The ICONS of 1932. Inspired by the first CHANEL fine jewelry collection that premiered in the early twentieth century, The ICONS of 1932 feature themes that have endured throughout the House’s storied design history.
In 1932, Mademoiselle Chanel created her one and only fine jewelry collection, “Bijoux de Diamants.” With the world in the midst of the Great Depression, she wanted to create a collection of pieces that was both riotously optimistic and achingly elegant. Centered around a celestial motif of comets, stars and suns as well as feathers and bows, her desire was, in her own words, to “cover women with constellations.” The collection was revolutionary. It was designed not only by a woman, but by one who had previously only designed costume jewelry. And as with anything she did, Mademoiselle Chanel further shook up the rarified design world in which she operated by showcasing the spectacular jewels on wax busts instead of the traditional and rather stayed velvet trays so favored by the other great jewelers of Paris. Unfortunately and rather tragically, there was such a scandal in the world of fine jewelry around her collection (heaven forbid anyone think outside the jewelry box) that Mademoiselle Chanel was forced to destroy her creations. However, a single piece was found in the later 20th century and is safely tucked away in the House’s archives.
The ICONS of 1932 is a stunning collection of pieces done in 18k white and yellow gold. Set with scintillating diamonds, they are delicate yet powerful much like Mademoiselle Chanel herself. The celestial motifs and lion, bow, and feather totems of “Bijoux de Diamants” have been honoured and reinterpreted for the modern woman. White and yellow gold are worn together and pieces have the ability to be deconstructed allowing the wearer a freedom of expression.
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