Before it became an emblem of elegance, quilting was a texture that first stirred Gabrielle Chanel in the quiet oasis of the horse stables. Decades later, that same texture became illuminated in gold and grew into a house signature.
The origins of Chanel’s quilting motif—now seen across clothing and jewellery—can be traced back to her early days with her lover, Étienne Balsan. It was the horse blankets and the jackets worn by stable lads that caught her attention. Enamoured by the visual language, she would later incorporate quilting in both her interior design choices and fashion designs. Eventually, it would transcend these disciplines and find its way into the realm of jewellery.
Fast-forward to 2015, and the quilted emblem was carved into gold jewellery, in the line COCO CRUSH. Since then, the collection has evolved, with new styles added annually, including rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. More than just an adornment or accessory, each piece is meant to mark life’s moments and celebrate its greatest pleasures—just as Gabrielle Chanel did.
At first glance, the surfaces of the pieces appear structured, but upon closer inspection, an interplay of softened curves and angles is revealed. To emulate the quilted weave accurately, incisions are crafted with expert precision, and attention to detail is unmatched. Collectively, the elements synthesize to fuse strength and femininity, embodying the very essence synonymous with Chanel.
While COCO CRUSH continues to evolve through the most liberated of styles, so do other facets of the brand’s jewellery lineup. Staying true to the house’s heritage, Chanel expands its approach with yet another signature element from the archives: the couture braid.
Gabrielle Chanel initially used braided trims on her suits to emphasize the edges, adorn the pockets and wrists, and shape the overall silhouette. Since then, the possibilities have been reconceptualized with new techniques and materials. But when braiding enters the world of jewellery, it transforms each design into a layered, sculptural masterpiece. That’s where the recently launched Première Galon, a braided bangle watch, comes into play. Composed of a twisted, dimensional braid crafted from 18K yellow gold, the piece is available in two versions and adorned with diamonds.
When the house introduced its first watch in 1987—the Première—it broke away from traditional masculine conventions. The watch case design occupied its own space, with a clean, octagonal shape inspired by both the N°5 perfume bottle stopper and the Place Vendôme in Paris. Paired with a chain bracelet interlaced with leather—a nod to the iconic quilted bag—it sets a new standard. And the Première Galon certainly follows in its footsteps, carrying the legacy forward.
Across these collections, a clear philosophy emerges. Each piece intentionally carries the past to offer timeless possibilities, holding both history and memories. In celebration of this continued evolution, Chanel brings exciting news for Canadian shoppers. This November, the CHANEL Yorkdale boutique will reopen its doors, becoming the largest CHANEL boutique to date in Canada.
Spanning two floors, the newly designed space by architect Peter Marino will house three accessory salons, a dedicated watch and fine jewellery boutique, one footwear salon, and two ready-to-wear salons.
Chanel Watches and Fine Jewellery Holiday Pop-up is open now until January 4th 2026.
For additional details and to book an appointment, click here.
Photography by Brent Goldsmith
Videographer: Jacob Robert
Model: Emma Auger (Public Image Management)
Styling by Haley Dach and Sahar Nooraei
Hair and Makeup by Julie Cusson for CHANEL Beauty
Manicure by Naomi Misu (P1M) using CHANEL Beauty
Photo assistants: Thomas Lee, Hugh Read
Hair and makeup assistant: Lauren Jonovich (P1M)
Video Assistant: Brayden McQueen
Sound Designer: Stevie Minacs
