Photo: Unsplash
Cover Photo: Unsplash

In celebration of the spirit of Venice, Chanel presents its latest high jewellery collection, Escale à Venise

In 1919, Mademoiselle Gabrielle Chanel fled to Venice, grieving the loss of the great love of her life, Boy Capel. Among the beauty of the Floating City and under the watchful gaze of the Lion of Venice, she found comfort, strength and unexpectedly, one of the great sources of inspirations that followed her throughout her life and career.

A tribute and contemporary interpretation of Mademoiselle’s discovery of the romantic city, Patrice Leguéreau, director of the Jewellery Creation Studio, presents the Escale à Venise collection. In celebration of the architecture, culture and spirit of Venice, this collection of 70 exceptional pieces is a mastery of sculpted designs and extraordinary stones, from lapis lazuli to sapphires and diamonds.

See also: 11 Of The Most Spectacular High Jewellery This Season

Tatler Asia
Photo: Pexels
Above Photo: Pexels

Capturing the essence of Venice

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Photo 1 of 4 Volute Vénitienne necklace in in white gold, yellow gold, diamonds and lapis lazuli
Photo 2 of 4 Volute Vénitienne ring in white gold, yellow gold, diamonds, lapis lazuli, cultured pearl
Photo 3 of 4 Volute Croisière necklace in yellow gold, white gold, diamonds, onyx and red spinels
Photo 4 of 4 Volute Croisière earrings in yellow gold, white gold, diamonds, onyx and red spinels

The Escale à Venise collection is divided into four lines: Sérénissime, Gran Canale, Isole della Laguna and Spirito di Venezia. Within the lines, each set is inspired by an aspect of Venice that spoke to Mademoiselle Chanel.

For instance, the Volute Vénitienne and Volute Croisière sets in Gran Canale are a playful celebration of the mooring poles used by the gondolas, striped in white and blue or red. Playing with movement in bold, twisted designs and the spectacular colours of sapphires, spinels and lapis lazuli, the Gran Canale demonstrates unmatched craftsmanship of the masters at Chanel.

See also: New 'Les Intemporels' Jewellery Line Honours Gabrielle Chanel's Favourite Symbols

Familiar emblems

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Photo 1 of 3 Camélia Byzantin necklace and ring with yellow diamonds, carnelians and fire opals
Photo 2 of 3 Camélia Vénitien necklace and asymmetrical earrings in yellow gold with diamonds and rock crystal
Photo 3 of 3 Camélia Baroque necklace and ring in white gold, diamonds and black lacquer

Meanwhile, the Isole della Laguna and Spirito di Venezia lines conceptualise the symbols that Mademoiselle Chanel held dear to her heart.

The camellia, a motif synonymous with the Chanel brand in its simplicity and seductive elegance, is reimagined in three different styles: monochromatic Baroque, golden Venetian and colourful Byzantine.

Related: Chanel Celebrates The 20th Anniversary Of J12 Watch With A Black-And-White Version

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Lion Emblématique set in yellow gold, platinum, diamonds and yellow sapphires
Above Lion Emblématique set in yellow gold, platinum, diamonds and yellow sapphires

Bringing Mademoiselle’s spirit animal back to the golden Renaissance, the lion reappears in the Lion Emblématique set of this high jewellery collection in the form of talismans, triumphant in yellow sapphires and encircled by gold and platinum, dotted with diamonds.

See also: Chanel High Jewellery: The Iconic Pieces Crafted At 18 Place Vendôme

Pièce de résistance

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Photo 1 of 2 Sérénissime necklace with 27.09 carat oval mandarin sapphire framed by onyx, spessartine, diamond and pink, orange and yellow sapphires
Photo 2 of 2 Sérénissime ring and asymmetrical earrings with onyx, yellow, pink and mandarin sapphires and diamonds

The pièce de résistance is the Sérénissime necklace. A cascading lattice of onyx and diamond squares, accented by tesserae of pink, yellow and orange sapphires, frames a glowing oval mandarin sapphire. The necklace, dripping rays of spessartine garnets, perfectly embodies the Byzantine spirit of the golden basilica in Piazza San Marco, laid in mosaics and famed for their golden crosses and cupolas. 

Read more: 5 Of The World's Most Expensive Diamonds

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