“Gabrielle Chanel. Manifeste de Mode” will be the first exhibition held at Palais Galliera after being closed for two years for reconstruction works (sponsored by Chanel). This allowed to double the space and accompany the temporary exhibitions to the 200 thousand outfits from the archives of the brand.
A celebration of Coco Chanel and her role in the history of fashion, which completely revolutionized the way women dressed, bringing a new take that is still to this day contemporary. The exhibition includes more than 350 pieces and articulated in two sections, one in chronological order and the other explores the codes of the brand. Starting from the opening of her boutique in 1912 in Deauville, to the 1916 jersey striped shirt, the first design created by Coco using menswear sartorial techniques but with material such as tweed and jersey. Functional pieces, sober and dedicated to a new concept of elegance, inspired by Chanel’s first love, Étienne Balsan. There are the monochromatic dresses, white, beige, dark blue, black that reminds of the designer’s adolescence spent in the monastery Aubazine, like the “petite robe noire”, appeared for the first time on Vogue America in 1926.
A celebration of Coco Chanel and her role in the history of fashion, which completely revolutionized the way women dressed, bringing a new take that is still to this day contemporary. The exhibition includes more than 350 pieces and articulated in two sections, one in chronological order and the other explores the codes of the brand. Starting from the opening of her boutique in 1912 in Deauville, to the 1916 jersey striped shirt, the first design created by Coco using menswear sartorial techniques but with material such as tweed and jersey. Functional pieces, sober and dedicated to a new concept of elegance, inspired by Chanel’s first love, Étienne Balsan. There are the monochromatic dresses, white, beige, dark blue, black that reminds of the designer’s adolescence spent in the monastery Aubazine, like the “petite robe noire”, appeared for the first time on Vogue America in 1926.
The monochromatic dresses are decorated with pearls, paillettes, fringes and embroideries after meeting Maria Pavlovna, the Russian duchess, nephew of the last Zar. Chanel, from the last pieces of jewellery that the Romanov were able to save and the Byzantines mosaics discovered in Venice that Gabrielle’s taste for opulence comes from. A part of the exhibition is dedicated to Chanel N°5, the fragrance created by Ernest Beaux in 1921, that became a cult thanks to it’s a special mix of 80 ingredients including the ylang-ylang, jasmine of Grasse and roses. And of course, we can’t forget about other key pieces created by Mademoiselle when she was 70 and came back on the scenes after 14 years. It’s 1954 and it’s the time of the suit or 2.55 bag launched in 1955. And then the bicolour shoes in 1957 as requested by Raymond Massaro.
Gabrielle Chanel timeless universe will be showcased at Palais Galliera starting from today, October 1st 2020 until March 14th 2021.
