The brand’s aficionados from around the world rejoiced in learning of the existence of these accessories dedicated to beach sports. Available as a set, each one of these two beach rackets is made of carbon. Their aesthetics are sleek. The black & white color code distinguishes itself from the exotic neon colors associated with the seaside. An opulent logo adorns the racket head: these racket’s are begging to be noticed! And yet they’re not your typical accessory. The handles may be lacquered – a reference to the Coromandel lacquer at the rue Cambon store location? – but the grip is no less excellent. Far from being stage props, these rackets boast amazing technical performance: the rugged redressing of the face of each racket assures for an excellent response during any exchange. Matched with the rackets: a delicious ball, labeled, pure white. A quilted black case echoing the leather of the iconic 2.25 completes the range. All of Chanel’s codes are brought together here!
Chanel = beach = Deauville, the equation is easy enough. 100 years earlier, in the summer of 1913, Gabrielle Chanel accompanied her Boy to Deauville. The casino and the Hôtel Normandy had just been inaugurated. Very fashionable, the seaside resort was also an internationally renowned equestrian destination. To woo the posh clientele, Boy gave Coco, already known by then, the idea to open a boutique on rue Gautaut-Biron. Adrienne, her aunt, and Atoinette, her sister, would give Chanel a hand in making and selling the accessories and hats that would soon fill the store. Gabrielle didn’t stop there and took advantage of the situation to offer what she had already been wearing for years: practical, simple, and light clothes that allowed for easy movement. “1914 was still 1900, and 1900 was still the Second Empire,” Chanel rightfully grieved. People went to the beach as if they were going into town, dressed up from head to toe. Chanel brought relaxation and fresh air into fashion. With her family, she would play the part of a model and strut up and down the beaches of Deauville, changing several times per day into a tunic, pullover, or nautical sweater. She got heads turning. The elegant, hindered by colorful or Asian-inspired dresses by Poiret would soon be wanting a closer look of the author of this new silhouette. And success was soon to follow… The experience repeated itself in 1914. Paul Poiret ironized, calling Chanel’s creations “poverty for a billionaire”. In that sense, the purity of this beach set’s design perfectly illustrates the “poor style” that is characteristic of Chanel. The two-toned contrasting color scheme gives character to the array. These rackets definitely take after the double-C brand’s founder what with her prickly disposition!
No one would call this beach set ostentatious, rather, it has an affirmed character. After all, such a renowned brand shouldn’t have to hide itself from the sun while everyone else is stripping down!
Leave a Reply