French luxury brand Chanel Vancouver Holt Renfrew expansion opens (PHOTOS)

Jun 20 2016, 4:05 am

French luxury brand Chanel re-launched their long awaited expansion of the large ground-level boutique inside of Vancouver’s Holt Renfrew at CF Pacific Centre.

chanel, holt renfrew

Image: Helen Siwak

chanel, holt renfrew

Image: Helen Siwak

chanel, holt renfrew

Image: Helen Siwak

chanel, holt renfrew

Image: Helen Siwak

The new boutique, designed by Peter Marino Architect, replaces the previous location on the women’s upper-level designer floor and is divided into two main areas. The first is dedicated to the fashion creations designed by Karl Lagerfeld – including Ready-to-Wear, handbags, shoes, and accessories. The other introduces the world of Watches and Fine Jewellery for the first time in Canada. The space also includes two Ready-to-Wear Salons, an elegant room dedicated to the shoe and handbag collections, a Watch & Fine Jewellery Salon, and three fitting rooms, including a VIP one.

chanel, holt renfrew

The Camillia Broach with Chain valued at $3 million. Image by Helen Siwak

chanel, holt renfrew

The first specialized watch and jewellery selection in Canada. Image by Helen Siwak.

Some of the fine jewellery prices approach $3 million and are dedicated to Coco Chanel’s favourite flower, the Camellia. Reflecting the brand’s long standing commitment to the arts, as started by Mademoiselle Chanel herself, specially commissioned artworks were selected for this boutique and blend together harmoniously with the antique and modern furnishings.

Upon entering the boutique, clients are greeted by a splendid rock crystal Goossens chandelier and dark lacquer screens featuring gold embossed camellias, from contemporary artist Nancy Lorenz.

The decor of the boutique draws inspiration from Mademoiselle Chanel’s Parisian apartment on 31, rue Cambon, combining intimacy and refinement into each of the defined rooms. Contrasting materials of soft gold metal and polished surfaces like glass and lacquer set the backdrop against the luxurious rich textures of handmade wall finishings, woven wool carpets, and iconic tweed seating that fuse the architectural with the artisanal.

chanel, holt renfrew

Image: Helen Siwak

The exclusive fitting rooms include a hanging sculpture by Mark Swanson with five crystal-embellished antlers, a camellia print by Shelter Serra in charcoal, and a black and white ink piece of artwork entitled “Chapeau Crapaud!” by Remy Markowitsch. The VIP fitting room features a piece by Y.Z. Kami – an exposed print on canvas of the iconic quilt motif.

chanel, holt renfrew

Artwork by Mark Swanson. Image by Helen Siwak.

chanel, holt renfrew

Artwork by Shelter Serra. Image by Helen Siwak.

chanel, holt renfrew

Image: Helen Siwak

chanel, holt renfrew

Chanel is located in the retail space formerly occupied by a Holt Renfrew salon and spa. Although Holt’s Dunsmuir Street facade now includes Chanel at its ground level, the Chanel boutique can only be accessed by the public through an entrance from within the Holt Renfrew store.

chanel, holt renfrew

Exterior Entrance. Image by Helen Siwak.

chanel, holt renfrew

Interior boutique entrance off West Georgia. Image by Helen Siwak.

The former second-floor Chanel boutique opened inside of Holt Renfrew in the spring of 2007, when Holt Renfrew relocated to a considerably larger new space at Pacific Centre. Chanel’s shop-in-store, which originally only carried accessories and footwear, expanded to 1,900 square feet in 2010 to also carry ready-to-wear.

chanel, holt renfrew

Image: Helen Siwak

Helen SiwakHelen Siwak

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