PARIS – Patrice Leguéréau, the visionary director of Chanel’s Fine Jewelry Creation Studio, has passed away at the age of 54. The French luxury brand confirmed his death on Wednesday in a statement.
“Driven by an extraordinary passion and energy, Patrice Leguéréau never ceased to pay homage to Gabrielle Chanel’s visionary imprint,” said the company, highlighting his exploration of key house themes, including the camellia, lion, and pearls, among others.
Under Leguéréau’s leadership, Chanel’s jewelry creation studio flourished, attracting a wealth of talent that he mentored and nurtured throughout his tenure. Chanel described him as “a deeply sensitive, humble, and accessible man, driven by a strong sense of community,” and emphasized the immense contribution he made to the brand. “Patrice’s contribution to Chanel is immense and he will always be remembered.”
A graduate of Paris’ prestigious Ecole Boulle design school, Leguéréau specialized in the rare craft of modeled engraving and further honed his skills at the Institut National de Gemmologie. He began his career at Cartier, where he spent six years, before joining Van Cleef & Arpels for an 11-year tenure. In 2009, he joined Chanel as director of the fine jewelry creation studio, where he would leave an indelible mark on the house’s legacy.
Among his most notable works were collections celebrating the 80th and 90th anniversaries of Chanel’s “Bijoux de Diamants” high jewelry line, originally designed by Gabrielle Chanel herself. For the 100th anniversary of the iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume, Leguéréau created a stunning 55.55-carat diamond necklace, which now forms part of the house’s heritage collection, as well as a further 123-piece collection.
Most recently, Leguéréau conceived the “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection, inspired by Chanel’s sporty heritage, which featured designs incorporating rope pulls, sweatshirt collars, club badges, and carbon fiber.
Related topics: