A custodian of fashion is here to indulge you, but she is veiled in secrecy. Her offerings, however, are not. Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr is bringing “Chanel: A Private Collection” to the block, featuring a single-owner collection of more than 300 Chanel pieces. An unknown woman, clearly a devoted Chanel lover, is letting fashion lovers worldwide get a taste of the maison’s charm by offering her personal wardrobe of Chanel treasures.
Collected from the 1980s through 2023 (with the wardrobe largely spanning the modern Chanel era), these are icons that celebrate the house’s rich heritage and enduring style, assembled over two decades. Some are rare, never-to-be-seen-again creations by creative directors Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard.
What makes this collection feel even more unusual is the motive behind it. Rather than hoarding fashion, the collector wanted these pieces to be worn and enjoyed by others, including women who might never step into Rue Cambon but still dream of owning Chanel. A true admirer of fashion, the stylish collector preserved every piece with meticulous dedication. According to Vanity Fair, they were stored across her various residences, organized by season, color, and garment type. It is hardly surprising that almost all the pieces appear in virtually flawless condition.
Hubert Felbacq, director of fashion and accessories at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, told Vanity Fair that the collector, known for her extraordinary flair and eye for detail, followed a very personal rule. No matter how gorgeous the garment, if she had not worn it for two years, it no longer deserved a place in her wardrobe. Still, that discipline did not take away from the beauty of these well-preserved pieces. A Chanel classic is not only seasonless, but it is also evergreen and, with the right care, lasting. Felbacq visited her home regularly to collect the pieces she was ready to bid adieu to, so they could begin a new life.
Bonhams is now opening this Chanel-laden closet with a free public exhibition ahead of the sale, featuring a total of 367 items. The selection includes roughly 130 jackets, dresses, and coats, about 70 cashmere pieces, around 80 costume jewelry items, as well as Première Mini watches, Ultra rings, handbags, ballet flats, and sandals amassed over two decades. Standing out in this wonderful assortment is a jacket and coat from the 2005 Cruise collection, worn by Anne Hathaway in the fashion holy-grail film The Devil Wears Prada, estimated at around $1800-$2500.
Other pieces include a tweed jacket from the 2013 Resort collection, estimated at $1000, a costume pearl set from the 1997 autumn collection, a blue and pink sequin jacket from Cruise 2013, and, among the newer specimens of style, a Cruise 2023 multicolored tweed coat. This unique sale, and a sampling of a refined woman’s impeccable taste, will be held on February 19 at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr.
