The incredible showcase explores the designer's pioneering work and legacy
The V&A Museum has finally opened its much-anticipated new exhibition, dedicated to the life and work of pioneering designer Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel.
The Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto show, which is the first UK exhibition of its kind, charts the evolution of her designs and the establishment of the house of Chanel – from the opening of her first millinery boutique in Paris in 1910 to the showing of her final collection in 1971. Here are all the details you need about the exhibition...
The exhibition features more than 200 looks by the French couturiè€re – the first time they will have all been displayed together – alongside jewellery, accessories, cosmetics and fragrance. The installation also features rarely seen pieces from the V&A's own collection, alongside archive pieces from Chanel's heritage collections – including clothing worn by Hollywood stars like Lauren Bacall and Marlene Dietrich.
Gabrielle Chanel paved the way for a revolutionary new kind of femininity through her work, the legacy of which continues to inspire and influence the way we dress today. By creating clothes that she herself wanted to wear, she was able to anticipate the wants and needs of the modern, more independent, 20th century woman – seen through her now iconic use of tweed jackets and tailored trousers.
The exhibition is split into 10 themed sections, exploring Chanel's innovative approach to fabric, silhouette and construction. There are plenty of well-known pieces on display, from the famous little black dress, the 2.55 handbag and the much-loved tweed suit, to two-tone slingback heels and Chanel's iconic debut perfume, N°5, it's a highly researched deep-dive into the life and career of one of the world's most famous designers.
"Gabrielle Chanel boldly redefined the modern women’s wardrobe," said Bruno Pavlovsky, president of Chanel fashion. "We are honoured and delighted that the V&A, such a world leading museum and great institution, will stage the first UK retrospective of her work. By showcasing her contribution to the history of fashion as well as the incredible relevance and permanence of the Chanel style, this exhibition will highlight one of the greatest visionaries of our time."
The exhibition is rich in biographical detail, including Chanel’s activities during the second world war – it was recently discovered that she helped the Allies during the war effort – and her relationship with Hugh Grosvenor, the then Duke of Westminster.
There are also several personal touches from other famous faces, including the late Queen Elizabeth II: a letter in the exhibition, from her to Frederick 'Boy' Browning, thanks him for his present of Chanel perfume. "As usual, you have discovered just the very thing I particularly wanted," she writes, "and I want to thank you very much indeed for the birthday present of the Chanel scent".
Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto will run from 16 September 2023 to 25 February 2024 at the V&A Museum, London. It has, of course, been enormously popular, but a limited number of tickets are on sale here.
A limited-edition version of Bazaar's October issue, in celebration of the Chanel exhibition, is available to purchase exclusively at the V&A shop.
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