Métiers d’art 2024-2025: Chanel celebrates the Orient

On December 3, Chanel presented its Métiers d’art show on the shores of Hangzhou’s West Lake, an ode to craftsmanship and orientalism in homage to the Coromandel screens so beloved by Gabrielle Chanel.

The West Lake scenery, immortalized on Coco Chanel’s screens, provided the backdrop for this exceptional event. The ancestral technique of lacquering, the heart of the Coromandel aesthetic, inspired haute couture pieces embroidered by Lesage, varnished waders created by Massaro and outfits adorned with plant motifs.

The Orient and craftsmanship at the heart of the collection

In a teaser directed by Wim Wenders, muses Tilda Swinton, Leah Dou and Xin Zhilei introduce the poetic world of the show. As night falls, tweed silhouettes adorned with starry sequins inaugurate the floating catwalk. Subtly integrated mandarin collars and pagoda sleeves reinterpret oriental codes.

Silk satin, evoking the exchanges between China and the West, shines in evening wear, enriched with jacquard camellias. Accessories, such as quilted vanity cases and 24h bags, prolong the escape, symbolizing Chanel’s timeless elegance.

A tribute to the legacy of Gabrielle Chanel

This show underlines Chanel’s attachment to its historical inspirations, while highlighting the expertise of the Métiers d’art. Gabrielle Chanel’s passion for Coromandel screens, which she described as “love at first sight”, is reflected in every detail.

This couture journey, between tradition and modernity, celebrates the union between art and fashion, while reaffirming the timeless and audacious vision of the House of Chanel.

Also read: Dior unveils a documentary on its Cruise 2025 collection