Chanel Jewelry History

‍

Costume jewelry was considered radical and innovative when Coco Chanel first introduced it, though mixing high end items with lower priced brands is now common practice. It is not the intention of costume jewellery to provoke desire, but astonishment at best. Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel once observed, "It should remain an ornament and a source of amusement.". She first collaborated with costume jewelers in the 1920s to create her unconventional designs. Until Coco Chanel realized the potential of costume jewelry, costume accessories were considered a faux pas, reserved for women who couldn't afford real jewelry. Coco Chanel embraced a revolutionary design concept, mixing precious materials with faux ones with provocative delight, unfazed by the status quo. In contrast to Chanel ready-to-wear, Coco Chanel's costume jewelry designs emphasized unabashed opulence. Chanel awed the fashion world with her expressive and playful design combinations, combining faux pearl necklaces and sautoirs with an unprecedented number of brooches and cuff bracelets. Coco's costume jewelry was designed to make a glamorous outfit even more glamorous, by emphasizing the 'costume' element in costume jewelry.

‍

Karl Lagerfeld hired Victoire de Castellane as an assistant and model, but soon her eccentric style inspired him. After Coco's death, Lagerfeld was tasked with reviving Chanel. Karl offered De Castellane the job of Chanel jewelry chief designer because of her bold aesthetic and playful design approach. During her 14-year tenure at Chanel, she further increased the demand for Chanel jewelry. Collectors prize Chanel jewelry from the mid 1980s to 1998. Her iconic creations included earrings that resembled Chanel handbags and ostentatiously large pearl string necklaces.

‍

Bracelet from Chanel

‍

Despite her love of layering Chanel cuffs and bracelets, Coco Chanel focused on the Chanel Bracelet early on in her career. Modern Chanel bracelets are available in a variety of metal colors, unlike vintage Chanel bracelets that are almost always gold plated. Pearls, double CCs, and camilia flowers are the most common Chanel bracelet motifs. Also common are references to Chanel no 5 and 31 Rue Cambon. 

‍

Vinage Chanel Bracelet

‍

De Castellane designed the Medallion CC Florentine Chanel Bracelet in 1993. The black acrylic medallion on this Chanel bracelet is also stamped with a large double C, as is all of the gold metal.

‍

‍

Chanel Gold Bracelet

‍

Chanel no 5 perfume, Chanel cosmetics, and Chanel clothing are all represented in this bracelet with 16 charms from 2002. The Chanel charm bracelet is something that is created season after season with varying numbers of charms.

‍

‍

Chanel Cuff Bracelet

‍

The Chanel Cuff Bracelet is Chanel's boldest bracelet. There are often many bold details and colors in it. Crystals, pearls, double Cs, and bright stones are commonly featured on Chanel Cuff bracelets. Cuff bracelets made by Vintage Chanel are characterized by colorful resin and gripoix.

‍