FIELD of PLENTY

Vogue Singapore explores the enduring entwinement between Chanel and camellias with a visit to the maison's open-sky laboratory in Gaujacq; a haven and research ground dedicated to Gabrielle Chanel's favourite flower.

Words EMILY HENG

The sun is a warm, insistent pressure on the back of my neck as I shelter beneath a gargantuan shrub bursting with fuchsia camellias. The slightest movement brings a spray of blooms closer to my face, leaving behind a trail of condensation. A bee meanders past, landing on the waxy surface of a leaf overhead. It is possible to imagine that spring has arrived in Gaujacq, a commune located in the southwest of France. And yet, there are signs that today is an anomalous occasion. A wooden bench feels swollen and damp under my touch, while every step I take is accompanied by a distinctive squelch—signs that heavy rain has just swept through. “We're having a spot of good weather today,” remarks Jean Thoby, international camellia expert and owner of the…

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Vogue Singapore (Digital) - 1 Issue, May 2024

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