Sail Away With Chanel’s Flying Cloud Collection
The designs and gemstones of the Maison’s latest high jewels are infused with Mediterranean marine themes
Debuted in Paris at the beginning of the month, the Flying Cloud collection is named after the lavish yacht owned by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s one-time close partner, the Duke of Westminster, after he acquired it in 1927. Requiring no less than 40 crewmen to control the four-masted vessel, the yacht embodied the pure luxury that characterised Chanel’s own designs.
Chanel’s “Precious Float” ring depicting a buoy in lapis lazuli with diamonds
Drawing on a range of sailing themes, the Flying Cloud jewels and watches are presented in two chapters. Chapter one is inspired by the necessities of a life at sea, such as the Precious Float line with rings and earrings depicting lapis lazuli, diamond and cultured pearl buoys. The shape of an anchor is the central focus of the Yachting Day jewels, including diamond-encrusted brooches and bracelets.
The anchor-themed “Yachting Day” diamond cuff by Chanel
The second chapter portrays classical sailing themes, with the Summer Cruise line emblazoned with the colours of a Mediterranean voyage, with deep blue sapphires, serene pearls, sparkling white diamonds and Fancy Intense Yellow diamonds. A sailor’s uniform is presented in the Sailor Suit line, with its bold buttons in varieties of gold, diamonds, sapphires and pearls.
Chanel’s “Sailor Suit” bracelet with buttons in cultured pearls, diamonds, gold and sapphires
The Flying Cloud high jewellery collection culminates in two unique pieces crafted by master goldsmiths. Paying homage to the sun’s powerful glow and the light Mediterranean breeze, the bib necklace from the Azurean Braid line is woven in white gold with sapphires and cultured pearls, whilst the Endless Knot necklace presents a white gold and diamond-studded rope design.
The “Endless Knot” diamond necklace by Chanel
The jewels are clearly alive with Gabrielle Chanel’s dedication to pure luxury that embodied a sense of freedom for the renowned designer. The Flying Cloud jewels are the latest collection that falls under her own definition of luxury: “A necessity that starts where necessity stops.”