Think of Manchester and what comes to mind? The Smiths and Oasis, football, Coronation Street, the industrial revolution, Emmeline Pankhurst, perhaps? The English city is encrusted with its own unique history, one CHANEL hopes to honour within its forthcoming Métiers d’art 2023/24 collection which is scheduled for Thursday, December 7.
In anticipation of what is certain to be a mesmerising tribute to the city – which will no doubt mention its long tradition in the textiles trade and garment manufacturing – CHANEL has unveiled a short montage to offer a taste of what's to come.
The montage was edited by filmmaker and CHANEL ambassador Sofia Coppola, who has collated images of Gabrielle Chanel in Britain, along with photographs specially taken by Jamie Hawkesworth. The British photographer is said to have conducted an open casting, where he shot new faces in the first silhouettes from the collection.
The montage also features archival images that point to Manchester's overwhelming influence across architecture, literature, music, sport and various other creative domains.
To drive the vibrant creative legacy of Manchester home, the montage is set to the instantly recognisable sound of New Order's Blue Monday – the Mancunian band being a long-documented favourite of Coppola's. The track marks a watershed moment in British history, and we imagine it's not the last we'll hear of New Order with the CHANEL Métiers d’art 2023/24 show sure to include a few tracks.
As we wait with bated breath to cast our eyes on Virginie Viard's latest interpretation of the CHANEL codes, we bring you Coppola's montage to view below in the meantime. How will the creative director weave Manchester's distinct visual language and garment-making techniques into the collection? We will soon find out. Until then, why not revisit CHANEL's previous Métiers d’art collections, such as the 2021/22 show which took place in the 19th arrondissement of Paris.
Want to watch the CHANEL Métiers d’art 2023/24 show live? Keep an eye on CHANEL Instagram page for more information.
