Stars over Kyoto: Chanel unveils Patrice Leguéréal’s final jewelry collection

In the heart of Kyoto, amidst temples and golden screens adorned with lion motifs, Chanel presented its new high jewelry collection Reach for the Stars — the final masterpiece of Patrice Leguéréal, the longtime artistic director of the House’s jewelry division, who passed away last November, reports Robb Report.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CHANEL (@chanelofficial)

Imbued with elegance and symbolism, the collection is not only a tribute to the East but also the swan song of the designer who led Chanel’s jewelry atelier for 15 years. Kyoto—a city particularly beloved by Leguéréal himself—served as a meaningful backdrop for unveiling this farewell chapter in the Maison’s history.

The Legacy of Mademoiselle Chanel in Every Gem

While Coco Chanel herself was known for her minimalism and revolutionary freedom of movement, her meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship live on in every piece of this collection. Reach for the Stars does not shy away from luxury — on the contrary, it luxuriates in it, yet retains the understated elegance that remains synonymous with Chanel.

The collection’s motifs are direct references to the House’s iconography: lions, stars, and radiant bursts reminiscent of starry trails and sun crowns. The lion — Chanel’s zodiac sign and a symbol of strength and independence — appears as a bold necklace featuring two majestic predators surrounded by cascading diamonds.

Stars, first introduced in the legendary 1932 Bijoux de Diamants collection, return as a central theme. Now, however, they are joined by a new symbol — wings. These appear as brooches, tiaras, and the magnificent Wings of Chanel necklace, adorned with a 19.55-carat padparadscha pink sapphire and diamonds.

Eastern Spirit — Western Craftsmanship

The collection draws inspiration not only from Chanel’s style but also from the richness of Japanese culture. Echoes of temple architecture and Buddhist iconography from Kyoto are easily recognizable—particularly the headpieces of the 1,001 statues of Kannon at Sanjūsangen-dō Temple. Chanel merges European refinement with Japanese symbolism, creating a truly transcendent aesthetic.

An End of an Era — and a New Beginning

Though the cause of Patrice Leguéréal’s death remains undisclosed, the collection, reaching toward the heavens, feels like a deeply personal and professional farewell. Reach for the Stars is both a homage to the East and the final flourish of an artist who dedicated his life to Maison Chanel.

With Leguéréal’s passing and the recent appointment of Matthieu Blazy as creative director, the House steps into a new era. Following Karl Lagerfeld’s epoch, a brief chapter under Virginie Viard, and now Blazy, Chanel continues to be a brand capable of reinvention.

Yet, as always, its foundation remains unchanged: a free spirit, unwavering devotion to craftsmanship, and timeless elegance.