Simply Abu Dhabi XXVII

CHANEL “Luxury is a necessity that starts where necessity stops,” Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel was wont to say, and the new Chanel haute joallerie collection is the embodiment of that quote. The Flying Cloud high jewellery collection is an ode to the sea, and it takes its name from the famous four-mast, black-hulled, white-decked yacht with a 40- member crew that once belonged to one of Coco Chanel’s loves – Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster. Naturally the collection draws upon a raft of nautical codes for inspiration, with motifs such as ropes, knots, Breton stripes, sailor’s buttons and the iconic anchor symbol all being featured. As sailors have always been partial to tattoos, these too inform the designs of some this triumphant collection – most of which has already been sold. Presented in two chapters, the first explores the marine world by using white gold, lapislazuli, sapphires, cultured pearls and diamonds to interpret the classic aforementioned marine motifs – the ropes, tattoos, anchors and vivid colours that evoke the impossibly blue depths of the ocean. The second chapter remains rooted in the maritime theme and uses sapphires, diamonds and yellow gold to evoke the buttons on sailors’ jackets or the braids seen on marine uniforms. The highlights of the collection are a series of stunning necklaces. The Endless Knot in 18-carat white gold is set with a round-cut diamond of 3.51 carats and two pear-cut diamonds for a total weight of 6.19 carats, with 2,637 round-cut diamonds and 106 rose-cut diamonds. The Summer Cruise necklace in 18-carat white and yellow gold set with a fancy intense yellow round-cut diamond of 1.06 carats, 18 blue sapphires and 534 brilliant- cut diamonds. The Turquoise Waters necklace in 18-carat white gold is set with a pear-cut diamond of 2.58 carats, 12 cushion-cut blue sapphires, 34 oval-cut blue sapphires, three pear-cut blue sapphires, two round-cut blue sapphires and 1,552 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total weight of 23.84 carats. Finally, the Sparkling Lines necklace is beautiful in its simplicity in 18-carat white gold set with 49 round-cut diamonds and 2,823 brilliant-cut diamonds. 6 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I BUCCELLATI Opulent and rich with its craftsmanship and intricate techniques, Buccellati is a world-renowned Milanese jewellery Maison with a stunning heritage spanning almost 90 years. Buccellati has a tremendous reputation for working with gold and the most astonishing pieces are still created using secret techniques that somehow make the metal appear like precious flowing silk. This year’s masterpiece is the Carlotta tiara, part of the Romanza collection. Dedicated to future brides and contemporary queens, the Carlotta tiara is delicately created in white gold and diamonds. Gold has been treated as lace and the tiara shines with its lightness and splendour. Underlying the obvious striking beauty there is incredibly complex engineering work. The tiara is made up of five pieces that allow it to be worn with or without a central pendant, and even to transform it into a necklace. Thanks to a refined and invisible mechanism, the internal rigid rim loosens and gives flexibility to all the sections of the necklace and so the tiara becomes a collier. The Carlotta tiara is made of interweaving motifs in white and brilliant gold with a border decorated with flying leaves and glossy white spheres. The frame is fully engraved using the rigato technique (gold engraved withmillesimal stripes). In the central part, the applicable pendant is made of white and brilliant gold shapes, four diamond castings and a 4.22-carat diamond drop pendant, while the rest of the tiara counts 357 brilliant cut diamonds of a total of 15.93 carats. s s