Coco goes pop: London show puts Chanel jewellery in the spotlight

A rare surviving piece from Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s only high jewellery collection will go on display in London this month in an exhibition dedicated to the French fashion designer. The Comète brooch is one of 95 jewellery pieces in Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto. Also featuring clothes, cosmetics and perfumes, the V&A show will chart the evolution of her design approach from the opening of her first boutique in 1910 to her final collection in 1971.

The majority of the jewels are costume jewellery, a style that Chanel helped to popularise. Experts predict the exhibition, which runs from September 16 to February 25 next year, will boost the already strong market for vintage pieces by the house.