Chanel Brings In The Harvest With Its Latest High Jewellery Collection

Gabrielle Chanel was born on August 19th, the end of the summer and the celebration of the harvest festival. For Gabrielle Chanel’s father, wheat symbolised all that was good and wholesome. He often called it "my good wheat," and that expression resounded with her all her life. A symbol of renewed prosperity and abundance, wheat became one of her lucky symbols.

Launched at Fall 2016 Paris Haute Couture week, the High Jewellery collection Les Blés de CHANEL celebrates for the first time this fundamental element of Gabrielle Chanel’s world, and follows the life cycle of wheat with 62 high jewellery pieces.

In conjunction with the launch, Chanel sponsored the "Blés Vendome," the third act of an artistic vegetal installation, Nature Capitale (the flowering of cities), that began in 2010. A golden, frozen moment in time, the installation made of one million wheat, wood and 120 m3 of sand was set on the Place Vendôme from the 1st to the 7th of July 2016. It will then be exhibited in Saumur, Gabrielle Chanel's birth city.

“Through the ages, in all art forms, wheat has inspired artists, creators and thinkers. With Blés Vendôme, I want to tell everyone how important our relationship is with nature, in our cities and in our countryside. How man’s spirit when acting with respect and care, knows how to interact with nature to nourish and beautify mankind,” said Gad Weil, the artist behind the installation.

By Debby Kwong

Mademoiselle Chanel's apartment at 31 rue Cambon, Paris

Photo: Chanel

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Chanel Brings In The Harvest With Its Latest High Jewellery Collection

"Moisson d’Or" necklace in 18K white and yellow gold set with a 16.8-carat oval-cut yellow sapphire, 27 marquise-cut diamonds for a total weight of 3 carats, 329 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 6.7 carats, 11 brilliant-cut yellow sapphires for a total weight of 1.9 carat and 977 yellow sapphire beads for a total weight of 477.5 carats.

Photo: Chanel Fine Jewellery

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Chanel Brings In The Harvest With Its Latest High Jewellery Collection

"Moisson d’Or" brooch in 18K white and yellow gold set with an 11.8-carat marquise-cut yellow sapphire, 12 brilliant-cut yellow sapphires for a total weight of 1.8 carat, 31 marquise-cut diamonds for a total weight of 3.3 carats and 400 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 8 carats. "Moisson d’Or earrings" in 18K white and yellow gold set with 2 marquise‑cut yellow sapphires for a total weight of 5.7 carats, 10 brilliant-cut yellow sapphires for a total weight of 1.6 carat, 26 marquise-cut diamonds for a total weight of 3.4 carats, 172 brilliant- cut diamonds for a total weight of 3.6 carats and 182 yellow sapphire beads for a total weight of 48.4 carats.

Photo: Chanel Fine Jewellery

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Chanel Brings In The Harvest With Its Latest High Jewellery Collection

"Brins de Diamants" bracelet in 18K white gold set with 82 fancy-cut diamonds for a total weight of 18 carats, 216 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 6.2 carats and a marquise-cut diamond.

Photo: Chanel Fine Jewellery

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Chanel Brings In The Harvest With Its Latest High Jewellery Collection

"Brins de Diamants" watch in 18K white gold set with 29 fancy-cut diamonds for a total weight of 4.8 carats and 296 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 3.6 carats. "Brins de Diamants" earrings in 18K white gold set with 17 fancy-cut diamonds for a total weight of 3.8 carats and 86 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 1.4 carat.

Photo: Chanel Fine Jewellery

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Chanel Brings In The Harvest With Its Latest High Jewellery Collection

"Premiers Brins" necklace in 18K white gold set with a 1.5-carat brilliant-cut diamond, 5 marquise-cut diamonds for a total weight of 1.3 carat and 484 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 15.9 carats. "Premiers Brins" ring in 18K white gold set with a 1-carat brilliant-cut diamond and 60 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 1.3 carat.

Photo: Chanel Fine Jewellery

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Chanel Brings In The Harvest With Its Latest High Jewellery Collection

"Premiers Brins" brooch in 18K white gold set with 227 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 4.5 carats. "Premiers Brins" earrings in 18K white gold set with 152 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 2.7 carats.

Photo: Chanel Fine Jewellery

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Chanel Brings In The Harvest With Its Latest High Jewellery Collection

"Impression de Blé" earrings set with 2 pear-cut fancy intense yellow diamonds for a total weight of 5 carats, 14 fancy‑cut multicoloured diamonds for a total weight of 3.4 carats and 398 brilliant‑cut diamonds for a total weight of 4.5 carats.

Photo: Chanel Fine Jewellery

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Chanel Brings In The Harvest With Its Latest High Jewellery Collection

Like the lion, wheat was one of Chanel's lucky charms.

Photo: Chanel

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Chanel Brings In The Harvest With Its Latest High Jewellery Collection

For Gabrielle Chanel’s father, wheat symbolised all that was good and wholesome.

Photo: Chanel

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Chanel Brings In The Harvest With Its Latest High Jewellery Collection