Chanel’s new high jewellery collection celebrates movement and sport

Chanel has always been a house that plays by its own rules, rewriting the codes of fashion and, by extension, luxury itself. Long before “athleisure” became a buzzword, Gabrielle Chanel championed the fusion of elegance and athleticism, breaking down barriers with designs that celebrated freedom of movement. Her revolutionary vision led to the creation of a dedicated “Sport” atelier in 1921, an unprecedented move that fused high fashion with the functionality of sportswear.

Last year, in 2024, Chanel’s legacy of sporting elegance met new heights with the launch of the “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection, an ode to the beauty, precision, and artistry of movement.

Spearheaded by Patrice Leguéreau, Director of the Chanel Jewellery Creation Studio, the collection reimagines Gabrielle Chanel’s sporty ethos in the realm of high jewellery. It’s a bold, audacious venture that blends the technical mastery of jewellery-making with the aesthetic language of sport. “I was inspired by Chanel’s sporty style, which is such an integral part of the house’s history: the elegance of the line and the freedom of movement,” shares Leguéreau.

The result? A collection that doesn’t just adorn the body but moves with it, echoing the rhythm and energy of life in motion.

At the heart of the collection is the extraordinary attention to anatomy and form. Each piece is designed to harmonise with the natural contours of the body, much like a tailored sports kit. Chevron motifs evoke speed and rhythm, while clean lines and dynamic shapes channel the pulse of performance. Gabrielle Chanel’s beloved symbols — stars for victory, lions for strength, and the iconic number 5 — are reimagined with a sporty twist, appearing as openwork emblems and graphic imprints.

Embracing high-performance materials like carbon fibre and aluminium, which are not just lightweight but take on a jewel-like brilliance in their execution, they become transformable pieces that showcase a modular design ethos, echoing the adaptability of sportswear. Clasp systems inspired by carabiners, buckles, and even Chanel’s signature 2.55 bag make functional details central to the collection’s aesthetic.

As with all its collections, gemstones take centre stage, but here they sparkle with a modern, almost kinetic energy. Vibrant Kashmir sapphires, the result of years of meticulous sourcing, anchor the collection with their unparalleled brilliance. Two-tone and three-tone designs heighten the sense of motion, while coloured stones, perfectly matched with bespoke lacquer accents, infuse the pieces with bold, unapologetic vitality.

What sets the “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection apart isn’t just its beauty but its vision. It’s an ode to the thrill of the game, the joy of motion, and the timeless allure of Chanel’s sporty heritage. In bridging the worlds of performance and luxury, the collection captures the essence of what Gabrielle Chanel pioneered a century ago: the liberation of the body, dressed in elegance.

What sets the “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection apart isn’t just its beauty but its vision. It’s a tribute to the thrill of the game, the joy of movement, and the enduring charm of Chanel’s sporty heritage. The collection embodies what Gabrielle Chanel introduced a century ago: the liberation of the body, dressed in sophistication.