STYLE Edit: Chanel reopens its flagship in Hong Kong’s The Peninsula hotel, marked by a capsule high jewellery collection – topped by the 10-carat asscher-cut Constellation of Leo emerald ring
A symbol closely intertwined with Chanel’s illustrious past makes an ideal inspiration for a collection that celebrates an important moment in the legendary maison’s history in Hong Kong. The new Constellation of Leo collection marks the reopening of Chanel’s boutique in The Peninsula, which has been delighting denizens of Hong Kong’s most glamorous and exclusive hotel for more than four decades. The legendary boutique has now been expanded, reconceptualised and upgraded, with a spectacular new design from celebrated architect Peter Marino.
As the name suggests, the Constellation of Leo collection is inspired by the majestic figure of the lion, a long-term symbol of the brand and the astrological sign of its storied founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel.
The collection’s centrepiece is undoubtedly the Constellation of Leo signet-style ring in yellow gold and platinum, a spectacular statement piece that frames a gigantic, show-stopping, deep green, asscher-cut central emerald of 10.23 carats. Taking its cues from rings worn by Coco Chanel, the piece is inspired by both Chanel and by The Peninsula itself – with the emerald’s shape echoing that of the house’s home, Paris’ Place Vendôme, while the diamonds and baguette-cut emeralds with which it is set recall the design of The Peninsula’s facade. A lion is even visible through the emerald, hidden away for the wearer to find in the ultimate secret touch, picked out in yellow gold ajouré, a style similar to filigree.
The collection also features a pair of emerald earrings in yellow gold, platinum, diamonds, malachites and tsavorites, featuring a 1-carat pear-cut diamond and a 0.5-carat round-cut diamond; a malachite necklace in yellow gold, platinum, diamonds, malachites and tsavorites, with a 0.4-carat round-cut diamond and a pear-cut diamond of the same size; and a malachite ring in yellow gold, platinum, diamonds, malachites and tsavorites, with a 0.4-carat pear-cut diamond.
The collection celebrates the rebirth of a boutique that has graced Hong Kong’s most famous hotel for more than 40 years. The work of Marino, an acclaimed architect who has worked extensively with the brand before, the reopened outlet covers a bumper 7,900 square feet, spread over three floors, and showcases every aspect of Chanel’s creativity, including ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, eyewear, fragrances, watches, and jewellery both fine and costume.
The most immediately eye-catching element of the gorgeous new design is the high-ceilinged, black and white open atrium through which visitors enter. At its centre is a spectacular artwork, visible throughout the boutique and even from outside it, a coiled necklace-like installation by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel featuring 123 alternating gold and black Murano glass pearls.
With accessories located on the ground and basement floors, and an entire mezzanine floor dedicated to ready-to-wear, initially showcasing a range of irresistible items from the maison’s autumn/winter 2021/22 collection, the boutique is the perfect home for a brand that’s intimately connected with the history of Hong Kong – and its future.
- Leo is the astrological sign of founder Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel, while the ring’s emerald echoes the shape of the house’s Paris home, the Place Vendôme
- Architect Peter Marino designed the store with a central atrium filled with a coiled installation by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel featuring 123 Murano glass pearls