Illuminating the entrance of Chanel’s newly revamped watches and fine jewellery boutique are gold panels evoking the lacquered folds of Chinese Coromandel screens. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel famously loved these screens, using them like wallpaper to dress her walls or to give her private space structure. When she received guests for dinner, it is said that she would even use the screens to hide the doors in order to keep her guests staying longer. Inspired by her cherished collection of Coromandel screens—she is believed to have owned 32—the panels are just one of the features in the boutique that pay homage to the maison’s founder.
Reopened in August, the store has been the only Chanel watches and fine jewellery boutique in Southeast Asia since it opened in 2009. Step in, and you’ll find an expanded space filled with design elements inspired by Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment. Redesigned by New York-based architect and long-time Chanel collaborator Peter Marino, the new boutique brings to life a contemporary vision of Mademoiselle Chanel’s intimate world.
The maison’s exceptional savoir-faire and limitless creativity is on full display here, captured through an outstanding selection of high and fine jewellery, watches and haute horlogerie creations. Discover the brilliance of the Comète, Coco Crush, Camelia and N°5 fine jewellery collections, and view iconic timepieces such as the Première and J12. A display wall—subtly angled, once again, like a Chinese Coromandel screen—also offers a rare look at the maison’s gorgeous high jewellery pieces. Rotated every couple of months, it promises something new to admire every visit.
Every detail in the space reflects the maison’s timeless and iconic codes, blending timeless history with modern elegance. Tweed—Chanel’s most iconic fabric—is seen in the upholstery of the seats, and reimagined in a pair of ornate lamps by French design duo Delos & Ubiedo. In the lounge, unique works of art demonstrate the maison’s love for craftsmanship. A gilded, sculptural Volumetric Chair by Voukenas Petrides immediately catches the eye, as a specially commissioned artwork by contemporary Korean artist Minjung Kim ties the space together in style.
But the most significant change to the boutique lies perhaps in the addition of the VIP salon, accessible through a set of concealed sliding doors. Within the private space, a Coromandel screen filled with mythical motifs and inlaid with mother-of-pearl spans the back wall. A Gold Scarab Commode by Atelier St Jacques further adds a layer of opulence to the space, as a restored antique desk by Louis XV completes the ensemble. Each of the three pieces, intricate and elegant, are storied works of art that tell a story—filling the exclusive space with style and sophistication.
Chanel Watches and Fine Jewellery Boutique, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Road, #01-04, Singapore 238872
