“Before you visit the United States, you watch all these movies and documentaries about New York…you have this image in your mind that doesn’t reflect the reality of everyday life. The Hamptons, on the other hand, is exactly how I imagined it, that dream of a white house by the beach,” says Swiss born model Vivienne Rohner, the face of CHANEL’S latest campaign shot by her partner Theo Wenner who spent all his summers on Long Island.
CHANEL’S ephemeral boutique in East Hampton embodies that ‘dream’ - a grey shingle fronted perfectly symmetrical country house with a clipped front lawn and cobbled pathway leading to the porch. Here on two floors, in a black white and gold decorated interior, are the picks of the summer Coco Beach range, highlights from the Metiers d’Art collection (revealed in Dakar this Spring) alongside Watches & Fine Jewellery, handbags and accessories capturing that freewheeling vacation spirit. There’s nothing like a sea breeze, kayaking, tennis, and swimming to excite the shopping taste buds as the founder knew so well. Gabrielle Coco Chanel, who started her business with boutiques in Deauville and Biarritz, and owned an elegant estate, La Pausa on the French Riviera, approached the holiday season like a spiritual ritual.
Chanel Coco Beach 2023
Theo Wenner, Chanel
Theo Wenner, Chanel // Press
Terry Cloth Top and Shorts
Theo Wenner, Chanel / Website
In 2023, Creative Director Virginie Viard is playing to the holiday mood and to the bliss state of swimming, surfing, and swinging in a hammock. There are black, pink, and white star motif two-piece bikinis (with flattering plunging V necks and square briefs), logo swimsuits, big beach towels, plush terry towelling sets and cut out ivory tweed mini dresses. Rohner, depicted in sunny and storm laden weather alike on the board walks and beaches makes for a lovely summer siren kicking about in the waves.
