Chanel, always going hand in hand with the timeless, has once again pushed the boundaries with its latest 2023/24 Métiers d’art collection. This year, the iconic fashion house took an inspiring journey to Manchester. Why? Well, the city is known for its rich musical heritage and dynamic cultural scene, marking the perfect location to unveil a collection that perfectly marries the essence of Chanel with the spirited Manchester sentiment.
The collection, envisioned by Creative Director Virginie Viard, was showcased in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter on Thomas Street, as dusk enveloped the city. This choice of location was not merely a backdrop but a significant element that added depth and context to the collection. Manchester, with its history steeped in music and art, served as a canvas for Chanel’s latest creations, infusing them with pop spirit that resonates with the city’s heartbeat.
Virginie Viard’s vision for this collection was clear from the onset. She sought to bring a fresh perspective to Chanel’s celebrated tweed, infusing it with a palette that is as vivacious as it is varied. The colors – salmon pink, pumpkin, apple green, mustard, sky blue, red, and rust – are not just hues but are reflective of emotions, a nod to the sixties flair, and a celebration of feelings.
This collection is more than just fashion; it is a homage to Gabrielle Chanel’s timeless art of tailoring. It blends the classic codes of Chanel with elements that are quintessentially British. The tweed, a fabric synonymous with British fashion, is reimagined through the lens of Chanel, bringing a unique fusion of styles that is both respectful of tradition and daringly modern. “Tweed is central to this collection. I thought a lot about Gabrielle Chanel but I didn’t want to recreate Coco’s look, when she was wearing the Duke of Westminster’s jackets. I took my cue from the Coco who brought colour to her tweeds. I added a vibrant, pop spirit to them. For me, Manchester is the city of music, confides Virginie Viard. It incites creation,” shared Viard with the press.
The knits and tweeds, embellished with playful details, showcase the meticulous craftsmanship that Chanel is renowned for. Each piece tells a story, a narrative that weaves together the legacy of Gabrielle Chanel and the youthful energy of Great Britain. This collection is not just about garments; it is about creating a connection, a dialogue between Chanel’s heritage and the contemporary British culture.
The runway beautifully celebrated the union of two worlds – the elegance of Chanel and the vibrant spirit of Manchester. Yet, Viard as the hand picked successor of Karl Lagerfeld remains the favourite target of the fashion critics. This is now a persistant theme both in the official set of journalist but more so the TikTok and Instagram army of self-proclaimed fashion analysts. Before you hop on with a bowl of popcorn to see how the latest one from Virginie has landed, be the judge yourself and checkout the whole collection in DSCENE’s runway galleries:
Chanel Manchester show runway ambiance:
Full model cast at CHANEL show in Manchester: Adit Priscilla, Aivita M?ze, Ajok Daing, Alaato Jazyper, Alice Charvet, Alice Mcgrath, Amar Akway, Amelia Gray, América González, Angelina Kendall, Annie Arnander, Anouk Smits, Apolline Rocco Fohrer, Avanti Nagrath, Camille Chifflot, Capucine Clowes, Cléa Beuret, Edie Campbell, Ella Mccutcheon, Enya Davis, Evie Harris, Fatou Diawara, Felice Nova Noordhoff, Freya Nutter, Gesa Passmann, Giselle Norman, Grace Gay, Greta Bultmann, Hyunji Shin, Ida Heiner, Isabel Jones, Jade Nguyen, Jill Kortleve, Karen Elson, Kate Kraaijeveld, Kiki Willems, Kim Schell, Libby Bennett, Liv Walters, Loli Bahia, Louise Robert, Luca Biggs, Lulu Tenney, Lydia Celesta, Lydia Reid, Mahalia Celeste Henderson, Maike Inga, Mariam de Vinzelle, Marjan Jonkman, Mathilde Henning, Merlijne Schorren, Mona Tougaard, Nora Attal, Olivia Palermo, Olivia Vinten, Rachel Marx, Rebecca Leigh Longendyke, Sam Case, Sara Caballero, Saunders , Tara Falla, Tara Halliwell, Tinglei Liu, Xu Wei, Yilan Hua
there is absolutely nothing inhertely wrong with this collection. Yet even when inspired by something beautiful like Manchester Viard and her team fail to make anything new out of it. If the house of chanel is not making money from clothes…. why doesn’t go in a bit more daring or better designed way? At least there’s no terrible faux-pas in here. Just an ok collection, nothing to write home about.
Love the colours and Manchester in the mix oh la la ???