By Noelle Loh,
More than two years after our last in-person event, FEMALE hosted our first – and appropriately
energising – #whatthefemale experience last month. The programme: Treat 21 of FEMALE’s
friends to a workshop held in partnership with Chanel to discover Nº1 de Chanel – the brand’s
new beauty line packed with natural ingredients (including a never-before-used bloom) to
preserve skin’s vitality. And, of course, a photo op.
Anchoring the Nº1 de Chanel collection is the red “Czar” variety of the camellia flower – a bloom discovered by Chanel to contain an intensely high concentration of antioxidants and is being harnessed by the brand for the first time. With its extract used as an active ingredient, it’s been tested to be effective at combating the early effects of stress and age on skin (lines; visible pores; loss of elasticity, comfort and radiance) – a real boost for busy Gen Zs and millennials like our creative friends here.
Clockwise from far left: Digital marketer Amiera Raushan; TV host and personality Amanda Chaang; party organiser-turned-educator/project manager Amaliah Kaiyat; and PR specialist/style star Parveen Hassanbhai
Indie-pop princess Celine Autumn
The hero product of Nº1 de Chanel is the Revitalizing Serum (seen here in its XL, for-visual-merchandising-purposes-only form). Ninety-five per cent of its ingredients are of sustainably sourced, natural origins; 76 per cent of which are derived from the red camellia to help visibly reduce the appearance of lines, and improve the complexion’s elasticity and glow with continued use. Its transparent gel texture allows it to be absorbed into the epidermis instantly, leaving a refreshing sensation, while its distinct red bottle makes for one pretty visual pick-me-up.
From left: Misc. Management models Nandita Banna and Serena Jane
Pole practitioner and former FEMALE cover girl Vanda Seetoh
From right: Skateboard pro Christina Lai and her pro-conscious living pal Melia Raine Morrissey
Also at the heart of the Nº1 de Chanel collection, which boasts nine products including an eye cream, lotion, fragrance mist and lip-and-cheek balm: going green. Besides using natural ingredients that are sustainably sourced, renewable and of reduced environmental impact, the packaging for the entire line has been eco-designed. Bottles, for example, have been streamlined and paper leaflets removed (read: less used and wasted); 80 per cent of the containers are made of recyclable glass; and the cream jar is refillable – just some of the many ways in which the range has been created with the future in mind.
Model, Xener Gill
Art director Miki Charwin
Cherie Ko, musician and illustrator behind the too-cute, philosophical art collective Slimy Oddity
Photography Stuart Chen Art Direction Imran Jalal
This article first appeared in the April 2022 Humans Of Fashion edition of FEMALE