Fashion

Chanel Métiers d’Art collection
Chanel 'Paris- Londres' Métiers d’Art collection

Chanel Métiers d’Art collection

Fashion

 

As if to celebrate London’s new-found closeness to Paris (20 minutes and a world class terminal makes a real difference) Chanel came to town to show their 'Paris-Londres' Métiers d’Art collection. The yet-to-be-opened Phillips de Pury headquarters in Victoria was the chosen venue, which coincides nicely with our exclusive preview of the new space in January’s Wallpaper*, out this week (it may not be quite a coincidence but we would never dream of blowing our own trumpet).

Chanel Click here to see images of the show space

Chanel Click here to see images of the collection

During the extended pre-show cocktail (a show without a gruelling fashion timetable either side is so much more fun) we spotted the almost surreal trays carried by waiters. They were finished either end with lacquered coat hangers, their hooks replaced with interlocking gold C’s.

We then fell for the seating in the upstairs show space, finished in much the same way; the spindly chairs mimicked a dressing room chair gagging to have a tweed jacket thrown over its back. Arranged in intimate groups around the runway they formed charming conversation pits, allowing guests to chat amongst themselves, especially fun with Comme des Garcons’ Adrian Joffe and Milliner Stephen Jones thrown into the mix.

The Métiers d’Art collection is a special showcase for the decorative crafts of the Parisian ateliers that have worked with Chanel for decades and those that the company have recently acquired - Desrues the costume jewellers, Lesage the embroiderers, milliner Michel, feather artisan Lemarié, cobbler Massaro, floral designer Guillet, and silversmith Goosens.

Lagerfeld provided a strong collection not only to seduce the clients and fans but also to exhibit the extraordinary skills of these talented artisans. He combined historical Chanel references like the Duke of Westminster and Boy Capel with a kind of modern day Marie-Antoinette-meets-Amy-Winehouse (with Little Lord Fauntleroy thrown in), all set to a live soundtrack by model-turned-singer Irina Lazareanu and Sean Lennon. Lagerfeld also had a little fun with the whole Paris-Londres theme, with divine checked bowler hats (courtesy of Michel) and beaded Union Jack clutches by Lesage on show.

Chanel also customised 50 black cabs to drive guests home. Nothing was left unstudied in the car, from the white Chanel graphics on the doors and the interlocking C’s on the back of the seats, to the television showing a charming animated film and the driver sporting Allure for men cologne.

8 December 2007 | Fashion