Chanel Brought The Magic Of Its Metiers d’Art Collection To Tokyo
First shown in Dakar, Senegal, last December, Chanel’s Metiers d’Art 2023 collection was re-staged in Tokyo on June 1.
Chanel’s annual Metiers d’Art (French for “artistic trades”) collection is always a lovely treat for not just Chanel fans but anyone who loves and appreciates craft. Typically showcased in a new location every year-end and outside of the fashion industry’s traditional show schedule, it is the Chanel collection designed to spotlight the considerable prowess of the various speciality ateliers owned by the French maison, of which there are at least 12 at last count.
As for the latest Metiers d’Art collection, which has just hit the brand’s stores globally, Chanel first staged the show last December in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, in a bid to celebrate the city’s thriving and internationally influential cultural scene, with the country's various musicians, artists and models involved throughout the show. It was a historic move; Chanel became the first European luxury house to hold a runway show in sub-Saharan Africa.
The collection was inspired by the “pop-soul-funk-disco-punk” energy that distinguished the 1970s as a decade.
Rich with colours and motifs inspired by the bohemian energy of the ‘70s, the collection notably favoured an elegant, elongated silhouette (clock the groovy platform sandals) and a colour palette saturated with soothing, nature-invoking hues such as ochre, moss green and raspberry pink.
Now, Chanel is continuing that important cross-cultural approach it started in Dhaka, with a second showing of the Metiers d’Art 2023 collection in Tokyo. Unveiled on June 1 at the Tokyo Big Sight convention centre, the collection itself remained true to its original showing, but to re-contexutalise it, Chanel added new elements that paid homage to Japanese culture. We take you through the details of what went down at Chanel’s Tokyo show below.
The show was prefaced by a stirring performance by Japanese guitarist Ichika Nito (left), who performed his track 'The World Is Still Beautiful' alongside Senegalese rapper Nix (right) – who previously performed at the original show in Dakar – before playing Ryuichi Sakamoto's legendary 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence'.
Alongside Ichika Nito’s guitar, 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.
After the runway show, the party continued with performances from the Japanese group Chai (pictured), Nix and Ichika Nito, as well as snazzy tableaus of iconic characters from Sailor Moon, who were adorably re-imagined in outfits from the Chanel collection.
Key Chanel ambassadors in attendance included Kristen Stewart, Park Seo Jun, Nana Komatsu and of course, the “Human Chanel” herself, Jennie Kim.
The main event, some would say, at the afterparty was a surprise performance by Blackpink member Jennie, who took to the stage to serenade the crowd with a jazzy rendition of her new single 'You & Me', as well as lovely covers of 'Fly Me To The Moon' and 'Killing Me Softly'.
The party continued with a DJ set by Japanese artist Peli and a concert by French electronic music duo Polo & Pan.
Remember what we said about continuing cross-cultural dialogues? Chanel isn’t just paying lip service; the day after the show, 350 students from fashion, art, design and management schools in Tokyo were invited to a talk in the presence of Bruno Pavlovsky, the president of Chanel’s fashion department, in the company of ambassadors and friends of the maison. Embroidery workshops were also organised, with artisans from Chanel’s Lesage and Montex present to guide the participants.