Singapore Tatler Jewels & Time
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
Quilting has become an integral part of the Chanel style, as seen in the latest additions to its Coco Crush collection
Chanel's iconic motif adorns its Coco Crush collection
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel fearlessly revolutionised the way women dressed, and this same spirit is reflected in the house’s Coco Crush collection of fine jewellery. Whether you’re a maximalist or a minimalist, this chic and versatile line, first unveiled in 2016, lets you express your unique personality freely.
Not only does the collection come in various metals— yellow, white and beige gold (the brand’s proprietary gold alloy)—as well as with or without diamonds, each piece is designed to be worn every day. Style sparingly or stack them on. And why stop there? Throw on some tweed and a pinch of pearls for good measure.
Three years on and we are just as much in love with this jewellery collection, from its delicate chain necklaces to its chunky diamond rings—all of which come with
Chanel’s signature quilted pattern. A number of pieces have been added as part of the maison’s attempts to fulfil our ever-increasing desire for more. Two-finger rings, open bangles and ultra-contemporary ear cuffs with twinkling pavé stones demonstrate that quilted motifs, to this day, are still at the heart of many Chanel designs.
The pattern can be traced back to February 1955, when Coco herself launched the iconic 2.55 quilted handbag, naming the style after the date of its creation. She first became fascinated by quilting in the early 1900s after visiting a friend, French socialite Étienne Balsan, a horse owner and breeder, at his stables. Balsan’s saddle cloths and horse blankets inspired her to use the motif as a textural contrast for linings, collars and cuffs.
Of course, when it comes to a spokesperson for
Coco Crush, a brand of Chanel’s repute could have easily stuck to forgettable faces that sit pretty in tweed and pearls, but that wouldn’t be very Coco, would it? The designer was, and continues to be, celebrated for breaking the rules. She rebelled against preconceived notions of women’s dress codes and created styles that we still wear today.
As such, it seems only appropriate that English actress Keira Knightley was chosen as the face of Coco Crush in 2016, after having already fronted the house’s Coco Mademoiselle fragrance and Rouge Coco lipstick collection. Known for her unmistakeable elegance as well as her strong personality, Knightley represents the very woman Chanel hopes to serve: one who is modern and classic at the same time.
After all, it’s Chanel’s signature motifs—the camellia, jersey stripes and comets along with quilting—that form and build a key part of the brand’s identity. Quilting first debuted on the Chanel catwalk last century, but it still features in our wardrobes and, thanks to Coco Crush, it’s still worn on our ears, necks and wrists.