Shanghai has just upped its chic with the opening of Chanel's boutique flagship store inside the new Peninsula Hotel on 25 November.

We visited the spacious 480 square metre boutique on its opening day to see what posh features were in store. Its launch didn't draw a large crowd, but a steady stream of shoppers and VIP guests.

Its interior is designed by renowned New York architect Peter Marino and is inspired by Coco Chanel's fabled apartment.  With refined details such as antique fabric lamps, crystal quartz and original artwork, Shanghai's Chanel is elegant and classic, with a touch of avant garde. Salon-style rooms separate apparel and accessories,  and for those dahhhlings who prefer to shop in privacy, there’s also a special VIP section.

We also took notice of Paris-Shanghai Metiers d'Art, a new Chanel collection designed by Karl Lagerfield that's exclusively sold in Shanghai to celebrate the store's opening. It includes various items of clothing and accessories (including the classic quilted flapbag in lambskin with "Shanghai Karl Lagerfield" for its inside signature), with red boldly dominating the mix.

For more on Chanel's Shanghai boutique, visit the Chanel Paris Shanghai website. On 3 December, the lux brand also plans to release a short film by Lagerfield featuring the Shanghai store and his special collection.

Chanel, Peninsula Hotel, The Bund, 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Tel: 6321 7005.