In 2027, the women’s Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge will celebrate the centenary of its first edition. Chanel, timing partner and title sponsor of the event, has entrusted Arnaud Chastaingt with the creation of two trophies for the winning crews, women and men. They are made by the British silversmith Thomas Lyte.
The two pieces are the same size. A white frame distinguishes the women’s trophy, a black frame the men’s; polished silver and the interplay of matte surfaces echo the contrasts associated with the J12 watch. The design keeps the silhouette of a trophy while setting it within a rectangular structure. A central medallion brings together the signs of victory and of the partnership.
The equality of format is a more telling choice than the chromatic reference alone. It places the two races on a common visual plane on the occasion of an anniversary that recalls how much women’s sporting history was built under different rules.
According to Chanel, the making involved nearly two years and more than 320 workshop hours. These figures describe an object designed to be lifted, handed on and seen again year after year. The success of the design will rest on this double life: a brand sign today, a sporting archive tomorrow.
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