At Chanel, A Dreamy Mediterranean Escape
Marseille’s warm and playful vibes inspire Chanel’s Cruise 2024/25 collection.
With its warm Mediterranean waters, picture‐perfect coastline, architectural gems such as Le Corbusier’s “vertical utopia”, La Cite Radieuse, and golden sunlight all year long, Marseille emanates the joy and freedom of summertime living, and is the inspiration for Chanel this Cruise 2024/25 season. Together with the French maison, we bring the city’s mix of elegance, eclecticism and unbridled playfulness to our shores by having some good fun with the collection’s key accessories.
Metal plastron with glass, rhinestones and resin; matching belt with leather; embroidered cotton cardigan with jewelled buttons; and matching bermudas, Chanel
A fittingly youthful yet glamorous tribute to Marseille’s Mediterranean seaside charm? Gold-toned jewellery, belts and even a chainmail plastron, which brings to mind a fishing net, adorned with colourful charms in the shape of maritime motifs – think little crabs, shells, starfish, anchors and even sardine cans. We say, what a fine catch!
Metal and resin cuffs (sold singly), metal necklace on extended metal chain strap with leather, cotton knit top and treated cotton skirt, Chanel
Le Corbusier’s La Cite Radieuse in the eight arrondissement of Marseille – seminal in its modular design, and combination of residences with public and social amenities to create the dream self‐contained community – provided both inspiration and the show location for Chanel’s Cruise 2024/25 collection. Echoing the pioneering architect’s work are graphic all‐metal jewellery with minimalist lines, a mirrored effect and the brand’s signature logo emblazoned across. Double down on the boldness by wearing the cuffs the way Gabrielle Chanel did: in pairs, with one on each wrist (PS it creates the illusion of balance too).
Metal necklace with glass, beads and rhinestones; and denim sleeveless jacket with jewelled buttons, Chanel
Remember what Coco Chanel said: “Costume jewellery isn’t made to provoke desire; just astonishment at most. It must remain an ornament and an amusement.” One of her favourite ways to make a statement with costume jewellery? By layering necklaces of different lengths – a look that’s classic yet irreverent, and minimalist yet ornamental. That this helps to highlight specific areas of one’s silhouette means it lends elegance and sensuality too.
Accessories, from top: Metal choker with rhinestones, and matching curb chain necklace and belt (worn as necklace). Broderie anglaise cotton dress. All Chanel
Suede hobo bag with metal-and-leather drawstring and shoulder strap; patent leather moccasins; and wool crepe jacket with sequins and jewelled buttons, Chanel
The It bag of the Chanel Cruise 2024/25 collection: an ultra‐roomy hobo with a chunky chain drawstring and shoulder strap that come interlaced with leather – a practical and edgy number that encapsulates bohemian, beach‐ready cool.
Jewellery clockwise from top left corner: metal choker with resin and rhinestones (worn as bracelet); matching necklace with crab-shaped pendant, clam-shaped drop earrings with glass (featured with the front of one side facing upwards and the other side flipped over), and crab-shaped stud earrings; and metal and resin basket-shaped pendant. In background: Savon de Chanel leather bag with metal and leather shoulder strap. All Chanel
A neat soap-shaped evening bag inspired by Savon de Marseille – a local legend that’s been around since 1370 and is famed for its soaps made from olive oil – raises the bar on novelty bags. Even the sliding clasp used to adjust the length of its shoulder strap takes on a similar form and is engraved with the words “Paris Marseille”. Equally surprising and fun: a long pendant with a charm in the shape of a basket, which can be opened to reveal tiny trinkets in the shape of starfish and Chanel’s double ‘C’ logo.
Metal necklace with glass and resin; matching belt; patent leather moccasins; and Fantasy cotton tweed dress with braided trim and jewelled buttons, Chanel
Shiny leather moccasins with a slim, second‐skin‐like silhouette are a nod to Marseille’s vibrant culture of aquatic sports and football (the city’s premiere football club Olympique de Marseille is also one of France’s most successful). Ease of movement is guaranteed – even when one’s wearing a floor‐sweeping tailored gown.
Metal chandelier-style earring with rhinestones and glass (sold in a pair); matching choker with leather; and Fantasy cotton tweed jacket with braided trim and jewelled buttons, Chanel
Marseille’s nautical roots shine through in a series of pretty, rhinestone‐studded jewellery designed to resemble the ropes that sailors use and accented with tiny marine motifs including anchors – a symbol of luck and hope.
On each wrist, from top: Metal bracelet with glass, rhinestones and resin; and metal bracelet with resin and glass (all sold singly). Metal belt with glass, resin, rhinestones and leather; matching necklace (attached across belt); broderie anglaise cotton off-shoulder top; and matching patchwork skirt with poplin. All Chanel
Fantasy straw hat with grosgrain ribbon; metal necklaces with resin and glass; matching belt; leather top with jewelled buttons; and Fantasy tweed pants, Chanel
More playful references to Marseille’s seafaring heritage come in the form of straw hats inspired by the ones originally worn by French sailors in the 1800s, and jewellery featuring pearls that range from small to XL in size. The latter is meant to bring to mind sea bubbles as well as pay homage to Le Corbusier’s disciple Charlotte Perriand, who had an affinity for bold pearls.
SHOP THE COLLECTION
Mini Classic tweed bag, $7,000
Chanel 22 mini metallic calfskin bag, $7,990
Suede hobo bag, $8,890
Denim hobo bag, $9,200
Mini lambskin camera bag, $7,970
Tulle gloves, $1,670
Metal choker with glass, rhinestones and resin, $1,460
Metal necklace with glass pearls, $4,000
Metal plastron with glass, rhinestones and resin, price unavailable
Metal bracelet with resin and rhinestones, $3,270
Metal earrings with glass, $1,690
Patent calfskin moccasins, $1,840
Suede flats, $1,790
PRODUCTION NOELLE LOH PHOTOGRAPHY STEFAN KHOO STYLING DAMIAN HUANG PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT HIZUAN WARDROBE ASSISTANT JOSEPHINE ANG HAIR EC TAN/KIZUKI+LIM MAKEUP CLARENCE LEE MODEL BORA HWANG/MANNEQUIN STUDIO
A version of this article first appeared in the December 2024 Food Edition of FEMALE