Life in Abu Dhabi has just got a little more glamorous with the recent opening of the latest Chanel boutique, situated in The Galleria Al Maryah Island. At over 350 square metres, the interior carries all the Chanel codes one expects, of black and white and of tweed fabrics, while flashes of gold and even blue make it softer and welcoming. Outside, the store facade is made of pleated stone screens, to echo the screens Gabrielle Chanel had in her own apartment in Paris. Designed by Peter Marino, the architect famous for his use of light, space and contemporary artwork, the single story space is calm and elegant. There aresmall pops of vivid pink, as the famous house boucle tweed appears as upholstery and even carpeting in the handbag salon, which in turn is filled with both of Chanel's classic and latest bag designs. Another salon is dedicated to watches and fine jewellery, including Coco Crush, Camelia and 1932 Collections, as well as the J12 Watches.he shoe salon is crowned with a chandelier made by Robert Goossens, the jeweller turned interior designer, as is the elaborate mirror. Fans of modern art will be intrigued to learn the ready-to-wear salon is decorated with work by Shelter Serra, the American artist who explores our complicated relationships with status objects, and who once built a life size Hummer out of bright blue rubber. Finally, with the positioning of the new boutique, clients are now able to walk between it and the existing fragrance and beauty boutique, for the first time in the Middle East. All of a sudden, being immersed in Chanel for an afternoon just became a lot easier.
