Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto

This week we’re excited to share the ‘Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto’ exhibition.

This exhibition pays tribute to Gabrielle Chanel’s profound influence on fashion. Highlighting an array of significant Chanel pieces, including an early surviving garment from 1916, ensembles tailored for Hollywood luminaries Lauren Bacall and Marlene Dietrich, an early groundbreaking evening trouser ensemble by Chanel, and selections from Chanel’s final collection in 1971.

Delving into the designer’s trajectory from the launch of her inaugural millinery boutique in 1910 to her ultimate collection in 1971, the exhibition will dissect how Chanel’s own individual style informed her creations, consequently revolutionizing women’s attire forever. While the era was characterized by corsets and voluminous skirts, epitomized by Christian Dior’s ‘New Look’, Chanel drew inspiration from menswear, particularly the attire worn by the British upper class during their sporting weekends in the countryside. She seamlessly integrated many of these menswear elements into her designs, employing tweed and wool, and popularizing trousers and knitwear for women.

Head over to the Victoria and Albert Museum this weekend to check out the first UK retrospective of Chanel’s work!