London`s Chanel flagship boutique – situated in New Bond
Street - creates a perfect platform for showcasing one-off art pieces and
world-renown Chanel designs. Inspired by Mademoiselle Chanel's iconic apartment
at 31 rue Cambon in Paris, it greets you with this astounding sculpture of twisted
pearls, which are suspended from the ceiling and cascade down to the ground,
three floors below. The sculpture was made by Jean-Michel Othoniel entirely
from hand-blown Venetian glass in black, grey and silver, in tribute to Coco`s
penchant for wearing necklaces made of multitude strands of pearls.
There are many exquisite artefacts scattered around every
room, and they complement ribbon and hand woven metallic walls, gravity-defying
staircases, and marble floors of this vast townhouse. The only sculpture I wasn`t
blown-away by, was a life-size statue of a glitzy deer designed by Marc Swanson.
Someone said it had been made of nearly 200,000 silver rhinestones, which were applied
individually by hand.
I have never seen so many comfy and at the same time stylish
sofas in any other store, but this supposed to feel like Chanel`s living quarters
so we are also spoilt for choice with many attractive fireplaces, and window curtains
adorned with large panels of pallid pearls.
Chanel aficionados will find here rare collection designs as
well as classic pieces, including an entire wall dedicated to scarves, belts
and ties, as well as handbags and beauty products.
The man behind this elegant emporium is a New York-based
architect Peter Marino, well-known for working on Chanel boutiques around the
world. Here in London he succeeded in bringing together Chanel`s timeless
vision with modern vibe and constructing 12,600 square feet of luxurious wonderland.
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