Chanel to stage its next Métiers d'Art show in Manchester in December

Chanel has revealed that Manchester, formerly home of the UK's once-vibrant textiles industry, will be the location of its next Métiers d'Art catwalk show taking place on 7 December.

The annual Métiers d'Art show was first launched in 2002 with the purpose of showcase the work of the specialist ateliers and brands (including milliner Maison Michel and lingerie and swim brand Eres) which the luxury French house began acquiring in the 1980s in a bid to preserve its manufacturing edge and know-how.

Many of these ateliers and brands are now housed in a building known as Le19M in Porte d’Aubervilliers, in Northern Paris.

The elaborate show to celebrate them has been staged locations including Dakar, Senegal, Tokyo, Dallas, Edinburgh, Salzburg and New York. Its return to the UK co-incides with Chanel strengthening its ties here.

Chanel established its HQ in London in 2018 and recently announced it plans to double the size of its premises in Mayfair, committing to the UK capital for a further 20 years.

Meanwhile this September a major exhibition at the V&A in London will celebrate the work of Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel; Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto, will open on 23 September.

Coco Chanel was said to have looked to Scotland for inspiration for her Tweed jackets and two-tone shoes, while the house still uses Scottish tweed and cashmere in its collections today.

Manchester was once known as 'Cottonopolis' due to the volume of cotton mills in the city and surrounding areas in the mid-19th century. While the manufacturing has now gone, it has retained strong links with the fashion industry and gave rise to numerous independent brands and retailers, as well as fast fashion giant Boohoo.

Chanel offered no specific reason as to why Manchester in particular had been chosen for this year's celebration but said in a short statement: “Presented in cities and places that inspire the house, from Tokyo to New York, via Dakar last year, this collection bears witness to the historic commitment of Chanel to this exceptional artisanal heritage and its influence around the world.”

Main image: Chanel Metiers d'Art 2021/2022. Alamy.