In It To Win It

Chanel’s latest high jewellery collection embraces the sporty spirit embedded in the House’s codes since the 1920s. Praachi Raniwala gets an exclusive look for ELLE

Sporting fervour has gripped the globe lately—from the Paris 2024 Olympics and Wimbledon to the ICC T20 World Cup and UEFA European Championship. French luxury house Chanel decided to step onto the playing field too, with their latest ‘Haute Joaillerie Sport’ collection.

What relevance does sport have to a brand that is all about tweeds and pearls, one instantly wonders? But you only need to look at the House’s history to connect the dots. Founder Gabrielle Chanel—who was an avid sportswoman, known to harbour a love for horseback riding, polo, golfing, skiing, yachting and fishing—created a ‘sport’ atelier within her haute couture house way back in 1921 to bring ease and movement to her creations.

Cut to 2024, and Patrice Leguéreau, director of the Chanel Jewellery Creation Studio decided to borrow from the founder’s life—an enduring source of inspiration for him. Leguéreau also previously added the lion symbol to the brand’s high jewellery vocabulary after Coco Chanel’s star sign—and brought together this idea of elegance and performance in an 80-piece high jewellery line that is truly one-of-its kind. “For the ‘Sport’ High Jewellery collection, I was inspired by Chanel’s sporty style, which is such an integral part of the House’s history,” says Leguéreau who brings a bejewelled take to athletic inspirations for the first time.