Gossip Girl's Whitney Peak on the Chanel 22 Bag and Working with Inez & Vinoodh
Canadian actress Whitney Peak shares her experience working with Inez & Vinoodh on the Chanel 22 bag campaign and why the bag has become her favourite of the House to date.
You've seen her in 2021's HBO Max revival of 'Gossip Girl', Netflix's 'The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' and Apple TV's 'Home Before Dark', now get ready to watch Whitney Peak shine in Anne Fletcher's 'Hocus Pocus 2' and Joah Jordan's fantasy movie 'Helvellyn Edge' in later on in the year.
Besides her busy schedule and consistent rise to fame despite her young age in the industry, the 19-year-old has also been appointed Chanel's US local ambassador and face of the Chanel 22 bag campaign – alongside fellow actresses Lily-Rose Depp and Margaret Qualley.
Prior to the launch of the Chanel 22 campaign, we sat down with Peak to gather her thoughts on the Chanel 22 bag, what it means to her, how it accentuates her everyday style, and what it was like working with Inez & Vinoodh on the campaign.
What was it like working with Inez & Vinoodh on this campaign? Tell us about their vision, their collaboration with you and Virginie Viard, and the atmosphere in general. Was there a stand-out moment during the shoot?
Inez & Vinoodh are a very special team. We talked in advance and built a concept around the things that matter to me all while maintaining their and Virginie Viard’s vision. They encouraged my input and helped pinpoint what makes me who I am and how I approach day to day life. From the first group call, I felt understood and had no doubt this was going to be a very unique and unforgettable experience.
The shoot itself was the most fun I've ever had on a shoot. They have this way of being super-efficient while creating such a fun experience. They took a boring routine, sprinkled fairy dust over it and turned it into something entertaining, reflecting the relationship I have with Chanel.
What do these images say about your lifestyle and everyday life? What do you think Inez & Vinoodh wanted to say about you?
Inez & Vinoodh brought my closest circle in on this shoot. These images are like a "high fashion" filter of how I'd spend the perfect day with the people I love most. I really value time alone and can disappear into my own world for days. I tend to get anxious about going out, but my friends know how to make it a good time. I've been so lucky with the path my life has taken and all I want is for everyone I've grown up with to have a seat at the table with me. Family and friends are very important to me and sharing this experience with them is all I could wish for.
What do you think about the Chanel 22 bag? How does it match or enhance your own style?
This might be my favourite Chanel bag so far. I'm a huge fan of functional pieces and tend to travel with my life in my bag so they vary in size and colour to allow for flexibility depending on what the day holds. I have a lot of tote bags and I’m not really a purse girl – apart from formal events – so I’ll naturally gravitate towards a good-sized bag that can hold my computer, book, journal, emergency toiletries, camera as well as a scarf, hat, water bottle, etc...
Could you describe three different moments or situations in your everyday life when you’d use the Chanel 22 bag?
Living in New York, I usually leave the house in the morning to grab a coffee or something and will invariably get lost at some point in the day. I’m always on the move, from place to place, finally getting home at the end of the night. If I had the bigger bag, I'd have it with me all day. As I said, I carry everything I may need throughout the day in my bag. If I go for a coffee, I'll do some work on my computer and then go for a walk, maybe stop in the park to read or sketch. I'll walk around for a couple of hours, have lunch with a friend, see an exhibition or do some shopping to kill time. Then invariably meet friends for dinner or go see a movie.
What is it about the Chanel style and allure that appeals to you or inspires you?
The use of colour and texture. I think Virginie is brilliant, and it really shows she has lots of fun creating and experimenting with different silhouettes and cuts, tapping into both the youthful and strong sides of Chanel. I always feel powerful wearing Chanel, it’s comforting and that really makes me love the House.
Gabrielle Chanel believed in numbers and launched her second fragrance, N°22, in 1922. In tarot, 22 is one of the Master numbers and holds so much strength it can turn dreams into reality. In numerology, it represents the fulfilment of one’s greatest aspirations. What does the number 22 mean to you?
I instantly thought of my big sister, Waldh, walking into her 22nd birthday party with 22 by Taylor Swift blasting out. But it’s interesting and something I actually looked into. I always used to check the time at 2:22. When I heard about "angel numbers", I got curious and had to find out what that meant. I think it means reassurance that you're on the right track, but I might be wrong. It was always a positive presence when I felt alone in the city and would suddenly see it. It's funny how that works, I’d never made the connection before.
What would be the perfect day or night with your Chanel 22 bag?
Pretty much exactly what we shot! Ideally, I would go see a play with a friend, we'd walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner then walk over the Williamsburg bridge to finish the night in Domino Park by the water to watch the Manhattan skyline on the other side. It would have to be a warm day!
What precious things do you carry in your Chanel 22 bag? Tell us one thing that has a special meaning for you.
Can I have three things? At this moment in my life, I’d say, my camera, journal and the book I'm reading. Oh, and headphones, of course. I think my journal is the most special thing. I find real sanctuary in writing my journal. It clears my head and helps me evacuate and navigate moments of anxiety or stress. It's also how I record moments of joy and excitement.
It has often been said that Virginie Viard is a woman designing for women and their needs. Is the Chanel 22 bag a good example of this?
Yes, without a doubt. If all the above answers don’t express that, then I don't know what would! I'm always so excited about seeing what she’ll do next. She's an intellectual, as well as a very loveable human. I’m so grateful to know her.
