BY MAISIE ADAMS
JAN 09, 2024
What comes to mind when you think of Manchester? Is it the birthplace of legendary bands like Oasis or Joy Division? The daily drama on the cobbles of Coronation Street? Or maybe the rivalry and passion of the football culture?
Well, for the first week of December the streets of Manchester became a hub for fashion lovers when Chanel transformed the local streets into a catwalk for their 2023 Métiers D’Art fashion show. Since 2002 the annual event has taken place in cities such as Rome, Tokyo and Dakar but this year creative director Virginie Viard chose to embrace the UK fashion scene in an iconic show spanning the decades of British styles. Despite the initial scepticism surrounding the choice of location, the Northern Quarter was met with many A-List celebrities including Hugh Grant, Kristen Stewart and Mancunian rapper Aitch. The show paid tribute to the British fashion industry through its use of bright colour and its return to classic styles of the 50’s and 80’s. And it wouldn’t be a UK catwalk without a spot of rain (more accurately, a downpour).
Opening the show to a soundtrack of Mancunian icons, Thomas Street was hit with models embracing the 60’s with a collection of tweed co-ords in fuchsia, acid green and bright oranges. These designs were paired with British staples - Mary Janes, baker boy hats, and chunky scarves, a much welcomed addition for the models we’re sure. Chanel typically brings the Métiers D’Art show to locations with historical ties to the luxury fashion house, this year tweed was at the heart of the show reflecting Coco Chanel’s love for the design, discovered on a trip to Cheshire in the 1920’s.
Courtesy of Getty Images
Next up, patent leather looks and black denim jackets brought audience members back to the 80’s. Looks were constantly tied into the culture of Manchester, including graphics inspired by football logos. Viard aimed to showcase the ‘ever youthful love story between Chanel and the UK’ by embracing the city of music with its pop culture and avant-garde styles.
For the finale, the dazzling minidresses that models braved bare legged were not an unusual sight for Manchester locals, the tribute to the nightlife loved by many (even in such wintery conditions). Throughout its 23/24 collection Chanel showcased the exquisite craftsmanship of the artisans, in a fitting location that previously housed a thriving textile trade. One addition we particularly adored were the cross-body bags, especially this patent, pearled feature.
Courtesy of Getty Images
Following the show, celebrities whizzed across to the south-side of town for an after-party hosted by Victoria Baths. With a performance from scot-rockers Primal Scream, global stars were introduced to the chaos of a Manchester evening (albeit a tad more decadent, surrounded by stained glass windows and Elizabethan tiles). Over 600 attendees dived into British culture, heading for pints in local pubs, exploring the vintage stores across the city and trying out some British delicacies aka classic fish and chips.
Chanel’s takeover of Manchester provided some classic British looks from across the decades and some hints at some fashion trends to come. What was your favourite look from the evening?
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