Latest news with #ReachfortheStars
AU Financial Review
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- AU Financial Review
How long did it take Chanel to make these jewels? About 7000 years
Kyoto is a city of contrasts. Temples dot nearly every street – but then so do contemporary cafes and luxury stores. Geishas walk the neighbourhoods, as do the hordes of tourists who find Japan so alluring they number 36 million a year. And while ancient crafts like furoshiki (the art of wrapping with fabric) and origami are still practised, there is a deep reverence in Japanese culture for technology. Want someone's number? Use the QR code on their phone to get it instantly – a technique I had never seen before my trip to Japan's former capital. So it is, too, with Chanel's latest high jewellery collection, Reach for the Stars, which fittingly debuted in Kyoto this month. While the initial 67-piece range has all the glamour you'd expect of the premium jewellery offering from France's most famous fashion house, one particular set of pieces samples from Kyoto's own traditional craft techniques – in perfect contrast to the rest of the jewels, which drip with diamonds in exactly the way you'd expect them to (with price tags that can, I'm told, head north of €13 million).
Vancouver Sun
20-06-2025
- General
- Vancouver Sun
In Kyoto, the past and present collide for Chanel's latest high jewelry collection
Inside a small workshop in Kyoto, Japan, Hiro Kiyokawa makes what's old and broken new again. The artisan has made it his life's work to embrace — and teach — the Japanese art of kintsugi. Both a tradition and a practice, kintsugi or kintsukuroi, sees broken, chipped or cracked pottery mended with urushi lacquer before being dusted with a fine powder of precious metal such as platinum, silver, and most often, gold. Taking pieces of broken pottery, ceramics and china, Kiyokawa meticulously sands and glues the broken area before applying first a lacquer material, then the fine metal powder. The repairs are carried out in slow, deliberate stages, with the curing done in a wooden, humidity-controlled muro, which looks like a simple, if slightly shabby, cabinet. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Once completed, the broken items are given a new life, returned to both usability and beauty thanks to the unique, gilded scar of the repair. The repair, Kiyokawa notes proudly, can last up to 100 years, with the renewed pieces even rendered suitable for everyday use. Working at his craft for more than 50 years, Kiyokawa has demonstrated and discussed his expertise in international venues spanning the Vatican to Oxford University. He also welcomes students into his Kyoto workshop, with the aim of teaching others the art of kintsugi so that it doesn't die out and disappear. 'It's happening around the world,' Kiyokawa says of at-risk traditional arts and practices. 'If you have an apprentice, it's OK. You can carry on. If you don't have an apprentice, after the master dies, it ends.' Mentions of his work are now included in junior high school textbooks for students across Japan. Kiyokawa's endeavours are just one example of many artisans working to preserve and progress crafts and traditions in the city that was once the capital of Japan. Kyoto is an intersection of both Japanese tradition and innovation. It's perhaps this unique environment that prompted the luxury French brand Chanel to select the city as the site of inspiration and celebration for its latest high jewelry — or haute joaillerie — release. Titled Reach for the Stars , the collection is partitioned into three themes: the comet, the lion, and wings. 'All the symbols that are part of Gabrielle Chanel's universe, we never cease to reinterpret them. And they all encompass the proper spirit of the collection,' says Dorothée Saintville, Chanel Watches and Fine Jewelry International product marketing director. 'They never cease to evolve throughout time.' As is the case with most high jewelry collections, a category of jewelry that's considered the peak of craftsmanship and luxury, the latest creations from Chanel feature standout diamonds and gemstones set in precious metals. What's strikingly unique about the release is the balance of power and playfulness represented in the necklaces (including the first Chanel high jewelry choker), rings, earrings and more. In the Reach for the Stars collection, the recognizable comet, a symbol that dates back to Gabrielle Chanel's early high jewelry collections in the 1930s , plays prominently. 'Here the comet symbolizes the freedom,' Saintville explains of the stars, which have been elongated to 'strengthen the power of its radiance' in the current release. The lion, which has appeared in the company's High Jewellery since 2012, is present in the latest collection in a more 'celestial and airy' interpretation, according to Saintville. Stellar pieces that stretch both imagination and skill — with suspended gemstones, mixed materials and more — prompt an appreciative pause. But it's the presence of the wings, a motif that is new to high jewelry for Chanel, that are the most striking within the release. Supported by an oft-referenced quote by the brand's founder that declares, 'If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing,' the wings are said to be a nod to Chanel's years in Hollywood creating gowns that eschewed the structured red-carpet gowns of the time. 'She used to represent her evening dresses and creations with this very unique fabric that gave a wing silhouette to her creations,' Saintville says. A centre piece of the collection, the Wings of Chanel necklace features diamond-encrusted wings, unfolded as if to almost wrap around the neck. The jewelry piece is set with a 19.55-carat pink Padparadscha sapphire that boasts subtle orange hues. A detachable pendant on the necklace can be worn as a bracelet, a nod to the appreciable transformative qualities of many high jewelry designs. 'They look like embroidery,' she says of the winged jewelry pieces in the Reach for the Stars range. 'They are very richly set with different-cut stones to create a very high-end interpretation.' Among the release are five singular brooches, each in the shape of a wing. These unique pieces tie the collection firmly to Kyoto, both in spirit and in craftsmanship, thanks to unique lacquer panels that adorn each piece. The winged brooches were made between Paris and the Japanese city, where the tradition of lacquer art is among its richest. In addition to embodying the connection between, high jewelry, glamour and artisan traditions, the collection is also a bittersweet punctuation of the passing of former Chanel Fine Jewellery Creation Studio leader, Patrice Leguéreau, who dreamed up the Reach for The Stars release, in 2024. Kyoto, it is said, was a personal place of inspiration for him, as much as it was a source for this particular high jewelry release. 'Patrice, that was his idea, to interpret glamour according to Chanel. With this invitation, ready for women to dare, dream and shine,' Saintville says. 'That was his ambition. And I think it's done.' Aharris@
Tatler Asia
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Reach for the stars: The secret of constant rebirth in CHANEL jewellery
Beneath a twilight sky awash with shifting hues, comets streak across the heavens, lions stride with majesty, and wings soar aloft. CHANEL's Reach for the Stars collection orchestrates a delicate symphony between Haute Couture, Haute Joaillerie, and the enduring legacy of Mademoiselle Chanel. Since the days when logos first became emblems of luxury, Gabrielle Chanel shaped a world where willpower triumphed over convention, offering women a refined yet defiant French lifestyle, marked by symbols laden with meaning. Faux pearls, once deemed unsuitable for the modest woman, were worn by her as a daring statement against prevailing norms. The camellia, beloved for its understated beauty and enduring vitality, remains a timeless emblem of the house, gracing the lacquered screens that stood elegantly in her apartment at 31, rue Cambon in Paris. Today, these motifs continue to echo across the CHANEL universe, from Haute Couture to fine jewellery. In Reach for the Stars , the house revives and reinterprets them: the lion, the comet, and, for the first time, a new emblem: wings. Transformed into luminous masterpieces, these motifs honour the maison's storied past while ushering in a new chapter of celestial beauty and boundless aspiration. Read more: The prosperity story behind iconic jewellery Above Chanel designed clasp-free jewellery that moved with the body Above These motifs honour the maison's storied past while ushering in a new chapter of celestial beauty and boundless aspiration First introduced in Mademoiselle Chanel's groundbreaking 1932 Bijoux de Diamants collection, the comet symbolises freedom, a tribute to the woman who crafts her own independent path. It was a visionary gesture, ahead of its time. Chanel designed clasp-free jewellery that moved with the body, embodying her belief that jewellery should accompany a woman's rhythm, never constrain it. In Reach for the Stars , the Blazing Star comet unfurls in gleaming gold and onyx, while the Dazzling Star necklace captivates with its twin diamond-studded pendants, framing the neckline with elegance and intent. Read more: Fine jewellery in the age of personal expression Above Jewellery should accompany a woman's rhythm, never constrain it Above Jewellery should accompany a woman's rhythm, never constrain it The lion, Gabrielle Chanel's astrological sign, featured not only on the buttons of her iconic tweed jackets but also as treasured statuettes in her personal quarters. It entered the CHANEL High Jewellery universe in 2012, where it came to symbolise strength fused with poise: power cloaked in elegance. Above The Comet symbolises freedom, a tribute to the woman who crafts her own independent path (photo: Chanel) Above The Comet symbolises freedom, a tribute to the woman who crafts her own independent path (photo: Chanel) In Reach for the Stars , the lion returns in two striking interpretations: one, a pendant encircled by stars and set with shimmering white and yellow diamonds; the other, a sculpted profile rendered in fluid lines and encrusted with precious stones, seen in the Embrace Your Destiny necklace. Both renditions embody the lion's duality; its grace in the hunt and its quiet grandeur in the roar. This season, the lion is reimagined from both frontal and profile perspectives, now adorned with ethereal wings, becoming a celestial emblem in its own right. As Gabrielle Chanel once reflected: 'The aura of personality radiates from the simplest things.' Perhaps the image CHANEL devoted the most attention to in this collection is the wing. Making its debut in the maison's High Jewellery line, this motif is both delicate and resilient, evoking one of Gabrielle Chanel's most timeless quotes: 'If you were born without wings, don't do anything that will keep them from flying.' Winged creations blur the boundaries between Haute Couture and Haute Joaillerie. Like the perfect bespoke garment, each detail is designed to move in harmony with the body: light as lace, fluid as satin, and sculpted to trace a woman's curves with the same precision as a couture gown. At the pinnacle of the collection stands the Wings of CHANEL necklace, crowned with a rare 19.55-carat padparadscha sapphire. Radiating a pink-orange glow reminiscent of the sky at dusk, this marks the first time CHANEL has included this singular gemstone in its high jewellery repertoire. Above The Wings, subtly exuding authority and grace (photo: Chanel) Above The Wings, subtly exuding authority and grace (photo: Chanel) The lion, Gabrielle Chanel's zodiac sign, continues to channel the quiet strength of the modern woman. In pieces such as Strong as a Lion and Be the One, the majestic creature appears crowned with clusters of diamonds or poised in sculptural profile on pendants. In The Sky is the Limit, the lion is paired with wings, forming a supple necklace that subtly exudes authority and grace. Above CHANEL reasserts that haute joaillerie is not merely a showcase of precious materials, but also a canvas for storytelling (photo: Chanel) Above True beauty lies in the freedom to hold one's head high and the courage to shine in one's own light (photo: Chanel) With Reach for the Stars , CHANEL reasserts that haute joaillerie is not merely a showcase of precious materials, but also a canvas for storytelling: an invitation to dream, to draw strength, and to embrace courage. As with the collection's closing image: The Silhouette Clock, where the figure of Gabrielle Chanel stands atop a jade pedestal, gazing skyward. It offers a quiet reminder that true beauty lies in the freedom to hold one's head high and the courage to shine in one's own light. NOW READ Caroline Scheufele, Chopard Artistic Director: 'Luxury and sustainability can coexist harmoniously' What makes Van Cleef & Arpels' creations poetic? From Bvlgari, Van Cleef & Arpels to Rolex: Anh Tu Atus turns Anh Trai's 'Say Hi' concert into a high-end personal runway
BusinessToday
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BusinessToday
Reach for the Stars with Chanel's Dazzling New Collection
Comets, lions and wings take centre stage in Reach for the Stars, Chanel's latest High Jewellery collection. Each motif is reinterpreted in delicate openwork gold and set with radiant gemstones, expressing movement, strength and aspiration. Every piece begins as a sketch in Chanel's Fine Jewellery Creation Studio. From there, expert artisans hand-select exceptional gemstones to meet the House's highest standards. At the atelier on Place Vendôme in Paris, these designs are brought to life with meticulous craftsmanship. The collection highlights Chanel's signature attention to detail. Gold is shaped into lace-like structures that drape elegantly around the body. Rare gemstones—including yellow and white diamonds, Padparadscha and blue sapphires, rubies, yellow beryls and orange garnets—add depth, colour and brilliance. The result is a refined expression of freedom and elegance. A key piece in the collection is the Wings of Chanel necklace, which introduces the wing motif to Chanel High Jewellery for the first time. Made in openwork gold and set with diamond details, the necklace wraps around the neck like a fine, lightweight structure. It also features a detachable diamond section that can be worn as a bracelet, offering added versatility. At its centre is a cushion-cut Padparadscha sapphire weighing 19.55 carats. Its colour shifts between pink and orange, giving the piece a warm, distinctive glow. Chanel's interest in celestial symbols goes back to 1932, when Gabrielle Chanel launched her Bijoux de Diamants collection. Her use of the star motif, which she once described as 'eternally modern,' continues in Reach for the Stars. The comet appears in new designs, such as the Blazing Star set with outlines in gold and onyx, and the Dazzling Star choker, which uses diamond pendants to create a sense of movement. The lion, Chanel's astrological sign and a symbol of strength, features prominently in the Strong as a Lion set, which combines a dazzling mane of stars with white and yellow diamonds. The Embrace Your Destiny necklace presents a sculpted lion's profile adorned with pear-shaped diamonds, exuding quiet power. For Patrice Leguéreau, Director of the Chanel Jewellery Creation Studio, the collection captures the fleeting beauty of a sunset—those final moments between day and night when the sky is awash with gold, mauve and pink. 'We wanted to create pieces of jewellery that are illuminated by the rays of the sunset and beyond,' he explains. 'Capturing that magical moment when high jewellery sparkles on the skin.' Related
Elle
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
Everyone's Traveling to Kyoto Right Now—Here's Why
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Each spring in Kyoto, more than 500 people in traditional dress process through the streets for Aoi Matsuri, a festival with roots dating back to the 6th century. Some 1,500 years since it began, Aoi Matsuri remains one of Kyoto's most beloved annual events—and it's just one of many festivals held in the city throughout the year. For Gion Matsuri, which lasts for the entire month of July, locals are encouraged to wear summer-weight yukata kimonos to indulge in beer and street food and watch large-scale parades of colorful floats. Unlike the bustling, sometimes-claustrophobic streets of Tokyo, the world's largest city, Kyoto exudes a sense of serenity, a calmness that gives even greater meaning to these special events. Peel back the city's traditional exterior, and you'll find modernity as well: a train station like something out of Blade Runner, filled with immersive digital installations; a thriving contemporary art gallery scene; and, increasingly, a synergy of old and new that inspires creatives and global brands. Chanel presented its latest haute joaillerie collection, 'Reach for the Stars,' there on June 2. And Dior staged an elaborate pre-fall 2025 show in April in the garden of Tō-ji Temple. The lavish affair was inspired in part by former creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri's visit to Kyoto last fall. Her collection drew upon images of 15th- and 16th-century Japanese designs, and she worked with the traditional Japanese fabric company Tatsumura Textile Co. Kyoto is a city of temples, shrines, and gardens, where the annual cherry blossom season draws visitors from around the world and where it is still possible to see geishas promenading through the Gion district. You'll find modern Japanese shopping here, but plenty of traditional treasures, too. According to Toshiyuki Matsubayashi, master potter and 16th-generation leader of Asahiyaki, a revered pottery studio in Kyoto, what sets his city apart is that its history has not merely been preserved, but celebrated as an essential element of daily life. The interplay of the past with more contemporary domains of design, art, and hospitality is what helps his family-owned, 400-year-old business survive. His workshop now offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour to guests of the Park Hyatt Kyoto—an opening up of traditional methods perhaps unthinkable 100 years ago. Hotels are also experiencing a renaissance—which helps explain why luxury travel adviser network Virtuoso reports that its Kyoto bookings for 2024 spiked 115 percent over the prior year. (Visitors to Japan overall grew 47 percent from 2023 to 2024, and Japan was the most popular country on social media, per a study by Titan Travel.) Kyoto was long known for the ryokan—a type of traditional inn with paper walls, tatami floor mats, and communal onsen hot spring baths. That all changed with the 2020 arrival of the Ace Hotel Kyoto—a complete reimagining of the Kyoto Central Telephone Exchange building by star architects Kengo Kuma & Associates, with Los Angeles-based Commune Design doing the interiors. It's part of a wave of international hotel brand openings that is just now reaching full steam. The Six Senses Kyoto opened last year in the preserved historic district of Higashiyama, enhancing its impeccable five-star wellness concept with Japanese touches—its spa features an Alchemy Bar where guests can blend their own bespoke beauty scrubs with ingredients reflecting Japan's 24 sekki, or micro-seasons. Last year also marked the opening of the nearby Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto, built to blend into the mountainous landscape surrounding the city, and the first hotel in Kyoto to have an in-house Noh stage. This fall brings the arrival of the glittering Capella Kyoto, designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Brewin Design Office, with a design informed by wabi-sabi aesthetics and Zen gardens. Perhaps most exciting of all, next year the Japanese hotel group Imperial Hotel, Ltd. will unveil the extensively restored and renovated Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, in the landmarked Yasaka Kaikan, a former theater where geishas and their maiko trainees once performed. The architectural firm Obayashi Corporation will oversee construction, while interior design will be done by New Material Research Laboratory Co., a Japanese design firm that specializes in the modern use of traditional Japanese construction methods and natural materials. Their brief for the new Imperial? Old is new. This story appears in the Summer 2025 issue of ELLE. GET THE LATEST ISSUE OF ELLE
