The camelia. Pearls. No 5. Tweed. Two-tone shoes. You know who we're talking about...

CHANEL. Full of icons and heritage stemming from its fearless female founder. And now, under new Artistic Director Virginie Viard, who spent decades as the right-hand of Karl Lagerfeld, a new chapter unfolds at the French house as she translates her vision into inimitable Chanel pieces for today. While no one could predict the pandemic and subsequent lockdown, especially early December 2019 when she debuted her first solo Metiers D'Art collection in Paris, it is without doubt a collection that speaks to the renewed desire and meaning of fashion for real craft, artisanship and a sense of meaning embued by the hands of the experts who make things.

It's an incredible feat of collaboration that happens to make a Metiers D'art collection. Incredible because Chanel has acquired 34 Métiers d’art maisons, each who specializes in a craft - Lemarié and their featherwork, Lesage and its nimble embroidery fairies, Goossens and its innovation in costume jewellery, or Massaro who cobble Chanel's iconic two-tone shoes and have been in the shoe-making business since 1894 - and when not working for Chanel, work for other luxury houses. To make the exceptional skill sets that have taken years of training, experimentation and creating available to others is an act of generosity to help keep luxury craft thriving.

Now that the new Paris 31 Rue Cambon Metiers d'Art collection has landed at the Chanel Bond Street store, I couldn't help but try on a few key pieces that captivated me back in December when I got to attend the show, ensconced in the Grand Palais's recreation of Mademoiselle Chanel's own, lush apartment. These two-toned gold leather heels, a combo with grosgrain ribbon bows, are not only decadent but very comfortable too. Given I haven't worn heels in about three months what with being inside the whole time, I'm SO excited that these could very well be my first-dinner-out shoes to mark the occasion.


And then the clothes from the collection... expect classic tweed jackets and dresses that define French chic and will never outdate. This was a collection that went back to Chanel roots, full of monochromatic looks that will work anytime. Silk blouses - the perfect pairing shirt - were various in style, and this one with ruffle sleeves and collar, silk ribbon and crystal buttons is pretty epic.



The Metiers D'art collections always delight me in their detail. You can feel the savoire faire from the hands who make the pieces, and am grateful that fashion has this expression of artisanship through this collection.

Chanel's Paris 31 Rue Cambon Metiers d'Art Collection collection is now at 159 New Bond St, Mayfair, London W1S 2UB www.chanel.com