STYLE Edit: Chanel’s feline gold and diamond jewellery series is a roaring tribute to Coco’s love of lions
Founder’s passion leads the French high fashion house to create the Sous Le Signe Du Lion collection of necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings
Chanel, the French high-fashion house, has turned the “cat lady” archetype on its head by giving us a roaring, female feline collection.
The Sous Le Signe Du Lion jewellery collection is inspired by founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s love of cats.
Born on August 19, 1883, Chanel fell under the fifth sign of the zodiac.
She once said: “I am a Leo and, like a lion, I use my claws to prevent people from doing me harm.”
It is no exaggeration to say that she was obsessed with lions.
Her flat at 31 rue Cambon – still the workshop of head creative director Karl Lagerfeld and the flagship Parisian boutique – was studded with references to the king of animals, with models in every medium, from wood to alabaster.
The Sous Le Signe Du Lion jewellery collection features eight pieces inspired by the animal.
There is a symbolic element to the lion: traditionally it is considered a creature of strength, courage and leadership.
These attributes resonated with Chanel, and manifestations of the lion appear in rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings.