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Discover Gaujacq, a village in the southwest of France. Here, Head Botanist Jean Thoby oversees cultivation of the emblematic flower of CHANEL—Camellia Alba Plena—which is selected from more than 2,000 species of Camellia.
Discover Gaujacq, a village in the southwest of France. Here, Head Botanist Jean Thoby oversees cultivation of the emblematic flower of CHANEL—Camellia Alba Plena—which is selected from more than 2,000 species of Camellia.
THE FLOWER OF CHANEL
The story of CHANEL and the Camellia began in 1913, the day Mademoiselle pinned one of the white blooms to her belt. The flower’s simplicity, shape, purity and vitality (it’s not afraid to blossom in winter) seduced her. She made the Camellia more than her favorite flower—she made it a symbol.
The Camellia’s resilience against winter frosts caught the attention of CHANEL scientists. After extensive laboratory research on several varieties of Camellia, CHANEL discovered that Camellia Alba Plena contains intensely hydrating molecules.
The southwest of France offers ideal conditions for the cultivation of the Camellia. In 1998, CHANEL began collaborating with master botanist Jean Thoby.
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HARVESTED BY HAND
The Camellia is an unscented, resilient plant that flowers in winter. Its white petals are very delicate, however, and must be picked by hand. The nursery near Jean Thoby’s home encompasses nearly a hundred Camellia shrubs, treated with the utmost care and attention. Given the Camellia's winter flowering, the seasonal cycle plays a criticial role in its cultivation.
The flowers are harvested one by one and placed in baskets by handlers who take care to avoid the slightest alteration. Once weighed, the flowers are immediately frozen to preserve 100 percent of their potent ingredients before being shipped to the laboratory.
“Here, everything is done in synergy with nature. She’s in charge.”
— Jean Thoby
DROP BY DROP
In order to preserve the benefits of precious ingredients, CHANEL uses MicroFluidic technology, a revolutionary practice that makes it possible to create powerful micro-droplets within a formula.
This technology is at the heart of HYDRA BEAUTY skincare. Upon application, Camellia micro-droplets release the moisturizing and plumping power of Camellia Alba Plena extract with each drop.
HYDRA BEAUTY MICRO SÉRUM
Highly concentrated with Camellia micro-droplets, this fresh, sensorial formula is the first serum to offer continuous hydration and an intense plumping effect.
