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Kim Go-Eun Loves Dressing According To Her Mood—Even Better If There’s High Jewellery Involved

We speak to the 'Love in the Big City' star at Chanel’s Haute Joaillerie Sport collection event in Taipei.
Published: August 30, 2024
Kim Go-Eun at Chanel's High Jewellery Sport event in Taipei

Typhoon Gaemi is raging outside. The trees are bent over backwards, and the rain is falling sideways. Within the walls of Taiwan’s Taipei Music Centre, however, nothing but order and chicness reigns. Chanel has completely transformed the performing arts and cultural venue in the city’s Nangang district into a monochromatic make-believe stadium, with pristine white walls and sporty fixtures setting the stage for the brand’s Haute Joaillerie Sport collection exhibition.

The 80-piece body of work is arguably the most ambitious collection that Patrice Leguéreau, director of Chanel Fine Jewelry Creation Studio, has designed for the house. One need only look around at the bevy of delighted faces to see that it has certainly hit the mark—ambassadors Kim Go-Eun, Lun-Mei Gwei, Ann Hsu, Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying, actress Carina Lau and friends of the House 9m88, Moon Lee, Yu-Ping Wang and Yu-Xuan Wang, included.

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Kim Go-Eun at the Chanel High Jewellery Sport event in Taipei
Kim Go-Eun at the Chanel High Jewellery Sport event in Taipei.

In the “Training Room” is the Graphic Line parure, which includes the record-making 17.18-carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring: The $12.8 million bauble is the most expensive piece of jewellery that the House has ever produced; its two-in-one design offers three different ways to wear it. In the “Stadium” sits the astonishing Print cuff, with detachable white-gold-and-diamond or black carbon fibre shells that allow you to transform its look completely. From rings with central gems that you can flip over, to closures that work like snap buttons, to tubular chains that have been specially designed to mimic drawstrings, Chanel’s High Jewellery Sport is rife with stylish cleverness that thrills and amazes in equal measure.

Related article: Chanel’s Métiers D’Art 23/24 Collection Celebrates The Dynamic Spirit Of Women Today

As Kim tells us: “The new high jewellery collection is inspired by Chanel’s sporty style, and when I first saw it, I thought the collection is very modern and stylish. It is not a common theme, and I can match it with jeans even though it is high jewellery.” We caught up with the South Korean celebrity who stars in this year’s Love in the Big City film at the event.

Related article: Chanel's 2023/24 Métiers d’art Collection Marries Refined Craftsmanship with a Rebellious Attitude

What does “freedom of expression” mean to you?

For me, freedom of expression means being able to choose what I want to wear and to express my individuality without any restrictions. I love being able to mix and match depending on my mood and occasion; it allows me to look different every day.

Which of the six chapters in the Haute Joaillerie Sport collection do you like best?

I like the Graphic Line series, which is so representative of the designs in this collection and exhibition—especially the Graphic Line necklace. The colours of the jewellery are very bright, making the whole design full of vitality and movement.

The Sport - Graphic Line necklace features a closure at the front that is inspired by the snap buttons found in sportswear with its gems arranged in a chevron-like motif to evoke the sense of movement.

What are you most impressed with about the collection?

This Sport collection pays more attention to the natural texture of gemstones, and its designs also appear more modern. Not only are they more fashionable in appearance, they have also evolved in comfort and functionality, making them comfortable and easy to wear. For me, these designs make me feel more connected and practical.

Having been a Chanel brand ambassador for many years, what is the most unforgettable moment you have spent with Chanel jewellery?

Participating in the Haute Joaillerie event in Taiwan today is the most unforgettable! It is a very special experience to be able to wear Chanel jewellery and to serve as a brand ambassador. What’s even rarer is that today, we get to interact and communicate with other brand ambassadors from the Asia-Pacific countries, making the whole experience even more precious. From the brilliance of the jewellery to the elegance of the brand representatives, every detail impressed me deeply. This experience has made me cherish these unique and unforgettable moments even more.

The Sport - Chanel Print cuff has detachable openworked shells that can be replaced with carbon fibre ones to offer three different looks: All diamond, all carbon fibre or half-and half.

*This interview has been edited and condensed.

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