Chanel showcased the pinnacle of haute joaillerie at the Kyoto National Museum’s Meiji Kotokan Hall with the debut of its latest high jewellery collection, Reach for the Stars. The 109-piece line draws on three emblematic motifs: the comet, the lion, and for the very first time, wings.
While the lion and comet have long been central to Chanel’s aesthetic—symbols personally cherished by Gabrielle Chanel for their protective and wish-fulfilling qualities—it’s the introduction of the wing motif that marks a fresh chapter. Inspired by Chanel’s own quote, “If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing,” the collection elevates the concept into the realm of myth and legend.
Crafted with fantastical elegance, the wing-themed pieces exude a dreamlike quality. The standout, Wings of Chanel necklace, dazzles with a rare 19.55-carat cushion-cut Padparadscha sapphire, echoing the hues of a lotus flower at sunrise. Complementing the necklace is a matching ring crowned with an 8.15-carat D-flawless diamond. Both form part of a sunset-inspired palette, using pink sapphires and rose gold to capture the beauty of dusk.
Another notable creation is Five Wings—a unique brooch set that took three years to complete in collaboration with Kyoto-based lacquer master Yoshio Okada. His expertise in urushi, a revered Japanese lacquer, adds depth and texture, mimicking wings caught in mid-flight.
The iconic comet, first introduced by Gabrielle Chanel in her 1932 Bijoux de Diamants collection, remains a guiding force. Now reimagined with elongated lines and heightened brilliance, the comet links all three themes. It takes center stage in the Dreams Come True necklace, a dramatic piece fashioned like a plunging couture neckline with cascading diamonds, topped with a striking 6.06-carat stone.
The lion returns in a new, lighter form. Traditionally portrayed with sculptural power, this collection sees the lion rendered as a celestial guardian with wings. The Embrace Your Destiny necklace features two winged lions flanking 5.6-carat pear-shaped diamonds—symbols of fierce protection and elegance.
This collection not only honors Chanel‘s past but also invites a future filled with wonder. A fusion of storytelling, craftsmanship, and symbolism, Reach for the Stars encourages wearers to dream big—and shine brighter.
As Dorothée Saintville of Chanel notes, “The collection is an open invitation to dream, to shine.” Gabrielle Chanel and Patrice Leguéreau—whose creative legacy shaped this vision—wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.