When the sun begins to dip below the horizon and the sky ignites in pink, mauve, and gold, there is a brief, enchanted moment – cinematic in scope and steeped in possibility. This elusive golden hour is the luminous heartbeat of Reach for the Stars, the latest High Jewellery collection by CHANEL. Conceived by Patrice Leguéreau and the CHANEL Jewellery Creation Studio, it pays tribute to Gabrielle Chanel’s vision of glamour: independent, radiant, and ever in motion.
The collection translates that fleeting light into a dazzling suite of 81 creations, celebrating three key symbols of the CHANEL universe: the comet, the wing, and the lion. Each motif is reimagined in precious stones and intricate craftsmanship, delivering a contemporary vision of high jewellery that balances drama with grace, tradition with transformation.
COMETS: A MODERN CONSTELLATION
Stars have long held a central role in CHANEL’s lexicon. Gabrielle Chanel first used them in her 1932 Bijoux de Diamants collection, calling them “eternally modern.” With Reach for the Stars, that motif evolves into sweeping comets of gold, diamonds and onyx. The Blazing Star set elongates these cosmic trails, while the Dazzling Star choker adds twin diamond drops for movement and elegance.
Left: Dazzling Star necklace with diamonds and sapphires set in white gold – worn as a choker.
Centre: Dreams Come True necklace in white gold, black-plated gold and diamonds.
Right: Five Stars rings in white gold and diamonds.
Transformability defines the collection. The Twin Stars necklace, for instance, breaks down into two bracelets and two shorter necklaces – offering versatility without sacrificing impact. Similarly, the Dreams Come True necklace evokes a diamond-drenched couture neckline, marrying Parisian chic with cosmic wonder.
WINGS: JEWELS THAT FLOAT
Gabrielle Chanel once said, “If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing.” Here, that philosophy is embodied in openwork diamond pieces that seem to float across the skin. The Wings of CHANEL necklace – crowned with a 19.55-carat Padparadscha sapphire in pink-orange hues – unfurls around the neck like an airy halo. Its matching ring features an 8.15-carat D-Flawless diamond that barely seems to touch the hand.
Left: Full Swing earrings and ring, both in white gold and diamonds; the two pendants are interchangeable, maintaining the asymmetric effect.
Centre: Pretty Wings asymmetric earrings in pink gold, with diamonds and pink sapphires.
Right: Free Move necklace in white gold and platinum with diamonds and Padparadscha sapphire – the hanging line can be worn on its own as a bracelet.
Each piece is designed with meticulous articulation for comfort and adaptability. The Free Move necklace, depending on how it is worn, draws attention either to a bare back or a neckline, while the Pretty Wings asymmetrical earrings shift with every glance. The Full Swing tiara, formed from a diamond lattice, rests like a diadem of light on the forehead.
Colour, too, plays a key role: the Pink Hour necklace glows with vivid sapphires; the Sunny Days brooch bursts with yellow, orange, and cognac diamonds; and the After Midnight set evokes twilight skies in strands of deep tanzanite.
LIONS: STRENGTH AND SOPHISTICATION
The lion – Chanel’s zodiac sign and a CHANEL High Jewellery emblem since 2012 – appears in two striking forms. One, a forward-facing medallion with a mane encircled by stars, exudes regal power in diamonds and yellow gold. The second, more sculptural, offers a profile view in pieces like the Embrace Your Destiny necklace, where lions flank a cascade of pear-shaped diamonds, and the Sky is the Limit choker, where winged lion forms embrace the neck with a commanding gentleness.
Left: Embrace Your Destiny necklace in white gold and diamonds, with the hanging lines being removable for shorter wear.
Centre: Follow Your Heart necklace in platinum, set with diamonds, red spinels, rubies and moon stones.
Right: Embrace Your Destiny ring in white gold and diamonds.
These pieces channel Gabrielle Chanel’s own strength and magnetism – her ability to command a room without ostentation.
A STELLAR LEGACY
The collection’s finale, The Silhouette Clock, immortalises Mademoiselle herself: dressed in her iconic braid-trimmed jacket and trousers, she stands beneath a night sky, gazing toward the stars. It is a fitting tribute to a woman who saw fashion – and jewellery – not as adornment, but as a form of liberation. Gabrielle Chanel firmly believed in taking control of one’s destiny and forging a path that aligns with one’s dreams.
“My life didn’t please me, so I created my life.”
– Gabrielle Chanel
In Reach for the Stars, CHANEL reminds us that glamour is not bound by convention. It is a celestial force, inviting us to rise, radiate, and redefine our own orbits. Glamour is part of a woman’s power to define herself and pursue her aspirations.
Author: Julia Pasarón
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