The collection combines a profusion of colours and motifs inspired by the energy of the 1970s with the emblematic codes of the House: camellias, intertwined pearls, jewelled buttons, beaded embroidery and sequins are all reinvented by Virginie Viard, Artistic Director of CHANEL’s Fashion collections, in a creative dialogue with the Maisons d’art artisans.
When it was first unveiled last December in the former Palais de Justice in Dakar, Senegal, the show was accompanied by a programme that celebrated the artistic scene in this internationally influential cultural capital, notably in the domains dear to CHANEL: fashion, cinema, dance, literature, contemporary art and music.
Now in Tokyo, CHANEL is continuing this long-term artistic conversation initiated in Dakar, all while forging new links with the Tokyo art scene. Guests were welcomed to Tokyo Big Sight with a new interpretation of Slow Show by choreographer Dimitri Chamblas, performed by dancers from Tokyo’s Tama University of Fine Arts, Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, Japan Women’s College of Physical Education and other universities.
Before the show – presented in a minimalist beige and black space – Japanese guitarist Ichika Nito performed his track The World is still Beautiful alongside Senegalese rapper Nix, before playing Ryūichi Sakamoto’s legendary Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, accompanied by violin and piano.
The party continued with performances from the Japanese group Chai, Nix and Ichika Nito. Singer and CHANEL ambassador JENNIE, a member of the group BLACKPINK, was a surprise guest at the show and she took to the stage to sing a new version of “You & Me” and a medley of “Fly me to the Moon” and “Killing me Softly”. A DJ set by Japanese artist Peli and a concert by French electronic music duo Polo & Pan concluded the evening’s festivities.
The day after the show, 350 students from fashion, art, design and management schools in Tokyo are invited to a Talk in the presence of Bruno Pavlovsky, President of CHANEL Fashion, in the company of ambassadors and friends of the House. Embroidery workshops are also being organised with the participation of the Lesage and Montex embroiderers.
CHANEL CHANEL in Tokyo Chanel Métiers d’art