Zaneta Cheng, Nicholas Choi, Nicole Law, Justine Lee and Fiona McLeish share their favourite pieces from Chanel Coco Crush and Première Watch and the moments they’ll cherish forever
Zaneta Cheng
It’s easy to get swept up in the collections within the Chanel Fine Jewellery family because every piece tells a story of love and passion drawn from Gabrielle Chanel’s rich life. From the signature quilted motif – inspired by equestrianism and first used in the legendary designer’s collections in the 1920s – to the 2.55 bag introduced in 1955, the sofas in Chanel’s apartment on Rue Cambon and the instantly recognisable beige gold, an exclusive Chanel gold alloy that harks back to Deauville’s wet sandy beaches, each unique detail speaks to an encounter that Chanel had in her life.
In the present day, the collection has been created for independent men and women who, inspired by the fearless spirit of Gabrielle Chanel, boldly embrace encounters of their own with confidence and grace. The curved surfaces of each piece, with their clean and even engraved lines, are symbols of modern life and the freedom that both Chanel and the women who choose to wear her brand represent.
I’d argue that putting on pieces from the Coco Crush collection gives anybody the ability to have a crush on themselves. That was certainly the case with me. Looking at trays of pieces from the collection, I was drawn not to the rings, bracelets or necklaces that I would normally find easy to wear but rather the ear cuffs and huggies that I would usually shy away from.
“They’re not me,” I would think if I saw them worn by someone cooler or with more piercings out in the wild or even in store display cases. But something about the waved edges and the body of each Coco Crush piece gave me the confidence to adorn my ears with much more than a simple huggie on each earlobe. Jewellery has the power to transform and this collection, possibly with its suits-all beige gold tone, classic quilting and modern proportions, makes it easy to be bolder with my choices.
With that in mind, my attention naturally turns to the Première Iconic Chain Double Row Watch – a new addition to the Première Édition Originale watch family. Its octagonal case, drawn from the stopper of the Chanel Nº5 perfume bottle, now features a slimmer wrap chain. The original, created in 1987, was the first watch to enter the Chanel universe. Jacques Helleu’s design featuring black and gold, two colours that Gabrielle Chanel gravitated to, spoke to the designer’s
unending search for simplicity and sophistication.
It’s the kind of watch that transforms an outfit and makes a statement about who you are as a woman when wearing it. The Première can be worn with a simple T-shirt and jeans, and one of the brand’s interlaced leather chain belts. There’s a gravitas to the watch, which comes in both yellow and white gold. It makes a statement in the way most “firsts” do – like the first time you realised a partner gave you butterflies or the moment I realised what career I wanted to pursue as a probing lost young person. As beautiful as the watch is, its significance lies in its ability to help recall the impact of a first time – all while taking part in shaping the person I’ve become today.
Nicholas Choi
Nicholas Choi stacks his Coco Crush rings with intention. His approach to jewellery follows a “less is more” philosophy because, to him, jewellery is an accent to his wardrobe. Using various pieces to express his personal style, Choi admits, “I sometimes plan my outfits
around the accessories I want to wear.”
This wasn’t always the case. “When I was younger, I wasn’t someone who wore rings,” Choi says. “My first ring purchase was in Paris, at 31 Rue Cambon. The iconic design of the Coco Crush ring immediately caught my attention. I think Coco Crush complements my style well – whether I’m adding a touch of shine to quiet outfits or going for a more street-style look.”
The fencer also believes that the Première watch is “surprisingly gender-fluid”. And it’s precisely this quality that draws Choi to it. “Many might think the chain design leans feminine at first glance, but a feminine watch can balance and neutralise [a more masculine] outfit. To me, that fluidity is truly classic and timeless.”
Nicole Law
Nicole Law is walking fitspo. The creative, whose voluminous hairdo makes her hard to miss, likes to “add a bit of seriousness to the fun” when it comes to her outfits. “I usually stay true to my streetwear core – oversized vintage T-shirts, baggy pants. Comfy at its finest.”
When it comes to jewellery, Law and her yellow-gold pieces are inseparable. “Everything from rings to necklaces, earrings to bracelets – my outfit isn’t complete if I don’t have my jewellery on. Wearing jewellery is my final step, right after perfume. It’s like adding spicy sauce to a dish. Jewellery reflects my personality, and I love it bold and consistent.”
When she wears a watch, Law feels compelled to put on a black blazer – and rolls up her sleeves to show the gold-andleather interwoven chain of the Première watch on her wrist.
Gold, for her, will always take precedence. Law’s very first piece of jewellery was a gold necklace with jade, given to her when she was a child. “If you ever bump into me on the street, 99% of the time, I’ll have my gold hoop earrings, gold nose ring, gold necklaces, gold bracelets, gold rings and gold watch on, sometimes even my gold grills,” she says.
So, it would make sense that her favourite pieces among the Coco Crush collection are the rings, “particularly the yellow gold ones. Ring stacking has been something I’ve committed to for almost a decade. Wearing and layering multiple gold rings is fun, and it gives me a sense of protective energy. I like the quilted motif on the Coco Crush rings, with their sharp and consistently cut lines and the diamonds for extra sparkle.”
Justine Lee
Justine Lee has been a Chanel girl since her mother surprised her with a pair of Chanel Comète stud earrings when she was in college. These earrings are still part of her wardrobe today and make an appearance on special occasions. Since then, Lee has grown her jewellery collection to represent who she is and as finishing touches for any number of statement looks.
“I have pieces that stay on me every day and pieces that I use to dress
up a look. The pieces I never take off have become an extension of me – almost like a second skin. I fidget with them when I’m nervous, and they’re the pieces my son plays with when I hold him. Most carry sentimental value – gifts from loved ones or pieces purchased at special moments in life. As for dressing up, I’ll often look for oversized earrings or a jewellery belt to finish off or to really make a look. I think being playful with jewellery exudes a sense of confidence in dressing, which I like.”
Lately, Lee has her eye set on the new Première Galon, pointing to the watch’s myriad references to Chanel’s house codes. From the leather strap interwoven with a gold chain that echoes the brand’s classic flap bag to the octagonal dial evoking Place Vendôme, which Gabrielle Chanel herself overlooked from her Ritz Paris apartment, the watch is steeped in heritage.
“I can see myself wearing it with just about anything – from something
as simple as a black summer dress with sandals for the day to an oversized leather jacket, jeans and heels for the evening,” Lee says. It’s versatile, elegant and distinctly Chanel.
Fiona McLeish
Fiona McLeish is no stranger to Chanel. One of the women who interpret the brand to suit thier own personality, she’s often seen in a happy kaleidoscope of pastels with a little heart-shaped minaudiere and a mix of the brand’s fine jewellery. “If I had my way, I would own the entire collection,” she says. “Jewellery plays an extremely significant role in my wardrobe and self-expression. I often feel like an outfit isn’t complete without the right pieces.
“I wear the Coco Crush earrings in the quilted motif crafted from 18k yellow gold daily. I absolutely adore these earrings – they’re the perfect size and incredibly easy to wear, with the clip-on clasp at the back. Additionally, I love stacking two of the mini Coco Crush rings. The combination of these pieces creates a chic and elegant look that I can’t get enough of.”
It’s not just jewellery that McLeish looks to when it comes to completing an outfit. The Première Édition Originale watch is another element she weaves into her wardrobe. “During the day, I love to just wear it with jeans and a white T-shirt, adding a touch of sophistication to a casual look. As the sun sets, the watch effortlessly transitions to complement an elegant black gown. Its refined design enhances the overall sophistication of the evening outfit, making it suitable for formal events. This adaptability is what makes the Première watch a standout accessory in my collection.”
Beyond style, the watch holds greater significance to McLeish. “My first memorable experience with a watch was when I turned 18. My mum gifted me her vintage Chanel Première watch, and it was such a special moment,” she says. “The watch not only represents a beautiful piece of craftsmanship but also carries the sentimental value. I love wearing it because it reminds me of my mum. One day, I hope to pass it down to my daughter – if I’m lucky enough to have one – continuing the tradition and creating new memories around this cherished piece. It holds a special place in my heart, symbolising both love and timeless elegance.”
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