Sandra‘s Closet

When Gabrielle Chanel adopted tweed as her own, it was to gift its comfort to elegant, sporty and resolutely modern women. When Patrice Leguéreau, Director of the CHANEL Fine Jewelry Creation Studio, took his inspiration from it in 2020, it was to create the first High Jewelry collection dedicated to tweed, with as its central masterpiece the « Tweed Couture » necklace.

Positioning the elements of the strands of the « TWEED COUTURE » Patrimony necklace on the sheet before setting.

Re-created today, this technical and aesthetic tour de force now forms part of the CHANEL High Jewelry Patrimoine. And it assures tweed a definitive place among the major inspirations of the CHANEL Fine Jewelry Creation Studio.

Assembly of the « TWEED COUTURE » Patrimony necklace.

Taming tweed. Transforming its softness, reinterpreting its weave and the irregularities that deepen its fleecy qualities, and mastering its suppleness in gold, pearls and gemtones. This is the dream that is realized in the « Tweed Couture » necklace. Unfolding in a host of radiating lines of varying lengths, it evokes a dense yet astonishingly light weave, created through a number of innovative processes.

Threading the chain that creates the horizontal weave of the tweed through the strands. First mounting of the chain before dismantling it for setting of the « TWEED COUTURE » Patrimony necklace.

The first of these is the articulation of rose gold and platinum threads to create minuscule hinges, rings and joints that infuse the whole structure of the necklace with suppleness. They are complemented by settings of equal lightness, in which each stone appears to be freed from claws or beads, to be fully revealed in the light.

Assembly of the « TWEED COUTURE » Patrimony necklace.

Rows of infinitely delicate pink sapphires, intense and crystalline red spinels, velvet-smooth pearls and diamonds of dazzling clarity weave the warp and weft of the tweed to re-create its downy thickness. A row of pearls, meanwhile, punctuated in the center by a 10.20 carat DIF type IIa cushion-cut diamond, delicately accentuates the base of the neck. Finally, the back of every element has been polished to ensure the necklace is as light and comfortable as tweed.

Adjustments of the center stone, a cushion-cut diamond of 10,20 carats of the « TWEED COUTURE » Patrimony necklace.

In its perfect embrace of the curve of the neck and its re-creation of the tweed weave, the « Tweed Couture » necklace elevates suppleness to the level of a creative principle, as exalted by the mastery and savoir-faire of the CHANEL Fine Jewelry Atelier. In its freedom and inventiveness, it celebrates the uncompromising boldness of Mademoiselle and takes its place in the CHANEL High Jewelry Patrimoine.

«The « Tweed Couture” necklace, which combines most of the technical challenges we had to face in 2020, was the most ambitious piece in this High Jewelry collection. For example, more than 980 articulations were assembled to create the exceptional suppleness of the necklace. That’s why today, CHANEL is proud to donate this exceptional piece to the Patrimoine department as a precious testimony of our creativity and savoir-faire.» – Patrice Leguéreau

Gabrielle Chanel and the tweed jacket of her English Duke lover changed fashion for ever. The fabric was also the inspiration for Virginie Viard’s F/W 2022 collection for CHANEL.

TWEED BY CHANEL

In the 1920s, Gabrielle Chanel had a love affair with the Duke of Westminster and discovered the lifestyle of the English aristocracy.
The Duke had an indisputable influence on the designs of Mademoiselle, who notably borrowed his tweed jackets to offer reinterpretations of them in her collections.
Tweed is a thick, soft woolen fabric that takes its name from the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders. While it has been part of the CHANEL vocabulary of style since the 1920s, it entered the Maison’s world of jewelry in 2020, with an initial collection of 45 High Jewelry pieces.

Work on « TWEED COUTURE » Patrimony necklace.

The most expensive piece in the 2020 collection, the « Tweed Couture » necklace has been reproduced for the occasion in order to join the pieces in the CHANEL High Jewelry Patrimoine department, such as the « 55.55 » necklace from the “N°5” High Jewelry Collection.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © CHANEL #TweedDeCHANEL #CHANELHighJewelry
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THE PEARLS
Omnipresent on the CHANEL costume and fine jewelry, they regularly punctuate the accessories, Ready-to-Wear and Haute Couture. They are intimately linked to the history of the House and to the elegance of its founder. As sautoir necklaces proudly worn by Gabrielle Chanel, pearls have become an important element of the House vocabulary.

This season, they adorn four pairs of sunglasses and optical glasses. Rounded with a 1970s spirit, butterfly, rectangular and even pantos* in acetate, they are held in place by a removable long strand of pearls extended by a fine chain and a gold double C. Ivory, black, taupe, amber and burgundy: their pearlised shimmer is pigmented with opaque or transparent shades, in harmony with the colour of the frame. Held at the end of the temples by a logoed clasp system, the sautoir necklace can be worn in a number of ways: under the face, resting on the shoulders, or around the neck, transforming the glasses into a veritable bijou.

THE QUILTING
CHANEL continues the story that first began at the S/S 2022 Ready-to-Wear show by unveiling new sunglasses with temples swathed in the emblematic quilting of the House. In a play of contrasts, the double C is once again featured on a square frame in acetate with slightly raised lines, dressed entirely in black or in black and white two-tone.

The CHANEL Spring 2023 eyewear collection are available in boutiques from now.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: @CHANEL #CHANELEyewear #CHANELSunglasses
*Also available with Blue Light lenses.
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise!

After my trend reports about the most important, shoes, bags and accessories for F/W 2022, I want you to go ahead and take a peek at all the biggest jewelry trends you’ll be seeing everywhere in a few months. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Y2k-esque body chains that popped up last season are still reigning supreme.

Stack it! The more the merrier. Let your arm candy do the talking!

But pearls are for tears, the old legend says. Hopefully this is not true as this winter, there will be lots of drama otherwise.

Stones and seashells are not only for summer, those natural elements are taking over in a big way in winter.

E-girl chokers add to the season’s list of new must-haves accessories.

Get ready to see over-the-top florals paired with classic jewelry pieces—including chokers, bracelets, rings and so much more.

The beloved classic is updated with new textures and colors for fall.

F/W 2022 is filled with many statement-making sparkles. Nothing for the shy…

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands

For her S/S 2017 Fenty x Puma collection, Rihanna imagined what Marie Antoinette would wear to the gym. I mean it is bad news for the late queen that it took 223 years until someone finally made her a collection of sport clothes. Good news is that the collection is so stunning that it was definitely worth the wait and that we are happy to enjoy it now!

Last fall, Bad Gal Riri made her Paris Fashion Week debut with satin corsets, lace fans, sweatshirts and pearls, lace do-rags and just about everything else you could imagine the infamous Marie Antoinette wearing while working out. Royal athleisure it was!

Olive-hued, satin-bow slides

Her absolute know-how can be seen in the footwear that still manages to sell out at every drop as those olive-hued, satin-bow slides that debuted earlier this month.

Satin sneaker

Now, more Marie Antoinette-inspired Fenty x Puma will be coming soon afterwards, with more arrivals expected to drop on a monthly basis until June, starting on April 15, 2017.

TO SHOP FENTY X PUMA BY RIHANNA ONLINE, CLICK HERE PLEASE.

Get ’em while they’re hot (and in stock)!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Fenty x Puma by Rihanna

Sunday afternoon, Thakoon Panichgul showed his S/S 2014 collection, which was soft, delicate and very feminine. A lot of all in white looks, something that I have spotted quite often during the last days at New York Fashion Week.

I have especially adored the long pearl chains on Thakoon’s bags, created in collaboration with the Japanese jewelry company Tasaki, with whom Panichgul has a long-running partnership. Before the show started, I was able to explore the collection backstage. Funnily enough, I arrived with Anna Wintour at the same time.

It was great to see Thakoon again whom I had met for the first time in London at the Net-à-porter headquarters two years ago (For the previous post, please click here).

Lead Artist Diane Kendal for NARS Cosmetics created a look that was ”all about a beautiful fresh look for spring.” A little bit of spot concealing, she worked mainly with the new three matte multiples that will be newly launched for Spring 2014. So beauty addicts, it is time to get excited!

FACE: Sheer Glow Foundation
NEW Anguilla Matte Multiple (Launching Spring 2014)
NEW Cappadoce Matte Multiple (Launching Spring 2014)

EYES: Larger Than Life® Lengthening Mascara

BROWS: Bali Eyeshadow

LIPS: NEW Laos Matte Multiple (Launching Spring 2014)

Stay tuned for more from New York Fashion Week coming up soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Style.com

Sorry for bringing you bad news twice today, first we have heard that Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau’s passed away at 81 yesterday and it has been announced that former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher died this morning peacefully following a stroke. She was 87 years old.

The Iron Lady was not only an outstanding politician, but also a fashion icon. On both sides of the Atlantic, Maggie Thatcher is being considered as the originator of the power look for women. She opted for tailored skirt suits and pussycat bows. One of her clever tricks to show power was funnily enough that she never wore pants. Her signature pearls, shoulder pads (to stand literally “shoulder to shoulder” with men), handbags, and royal blue hues were a sign of control. Throughout her career, she turned her looks into POWER DRESSING!

Let’s honour her with this look inspired by her: Iris wool-twill blazer and matching Alyssa pencil skirt, both by Stella McCartney, polka-dot silk-twill pussy-bow blouse by Saint Laurent, Amelia patent-leather pumps by Jimmy Choo, croc-effect and textured-leather bag by Lanvin and multi-strand pearl necklace by Kenneth Jay Lane.

R.I.P. Maggie Thatcher!

LoL, Sandra

The pearl is one of the oldest gems in the world. There have been many ancient legends handed down from one generation to the next on those precious jewels. The Roman Empire considered pearls to be status symbols. According to the myth, Cleopatra bet her lover Marc Anthony that she could provide him with the most expensive banquet the world had ever seen. The day of the feast, Cleopatra, who was wearing an enormous pair of extremely precious pearl earrings, dropped one of them in a vessel containing vinegar that dissolved it completely which was more expensive than most lands.

For the ancient Greeks the pearl was a symbol of love and marriage. Thanks to Coco Chanel, they stand today for the ultimate statement of style. Coco loved pearls and used several necklaces of various sizes for a more dramatic effect.

Pearls can make you look more radiant. In Europe, the most popular shades have been white and pink-rose to flatter fairer skin tones whereas in Asia, natural-coloured golden pearls have enjoyed great popularity since many years.

Finally, pearl farmers have succeeded to cultivate golden pearls in a shade that suits all skin tones, “Vanilla Overtone” is lighter and more radiant. Bucherer is the first European jeweler, that is offering this new colour in a large selection. To celebrate the launch, I was invited to a Golden Pearl High Tea in collaboration with Falcon Private Bank at the Haute restaurant overlooking Zurich’s rooftops. Everything matched the golden tone of the pearls, from the shimmering pastries to the sparkling champagne and the exclusive tea.

And as a diamond is a pearl’s best friend, enjoy how beautiful the two look in combination.
Available at Bucherer, Bahnhofstr. 50, CH- 8001 Zurich, Phone +41 44 211 2635.

LoL, Sandra

RING with one natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearl (15,2 mm), brown brilliant diamonds (total 2.65 ct), and brilliant diamonds (total 0.69ct), CHF 21000.- / € 13990.-

NECKLACE – Yellow gold with 12 natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearls (10 – 11mm), CHF 6600.- / € 5900.-

PEARL NECKLACE with natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearls and interchangeable clasp with brilliant diamonds (11 -14.9mm), CHF 15800.- / €13300.-
Interchangeable clasp, CHF 4800.- / € 4300.-

EARRINGS – Yellow gold with natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearls and brilliant diamonds (10.4mm), CHF 2850.- / € 2550.-

BRACELET – Yellow gold with natural-coloured golden South Sea cultured pearls (8 – 8.9 mm), CHF 12800.- / € 11400.-

Photos: Courtesy of Bucherer and © Sandra Bauknecht

Hairband encrusted with crystal stones, € 295,-

Here is a sneak preview of Miu Miu‘s fashion jewelry collection for Resort 2012. Available in stores this November. Your chance to outshine the Christmas tree. Bling, bling!

LoL, Sandra

Bracelet encrusted with colourful crystal stones, € 320,-

Necklaces with crystal stones and pearls, each € 450,-

Photos: Courtesy of Miu Miu