CHANEL PRE-FALL 2023 MÉTIERS D’ART COLLECTION
An abundance of plant motifs, lines and geometric shapes, a profusion of warm colours take over Chanel's Métiers d’art show.
December 12, 2022
A seventies spirit traverses the Chanel Pre-Fall 2023 Métiers d’art collection collection, the beating heart of Virginie Viard’s imagination, held at the Palais de Justice in Dakar. The pop-soul-funk-disco-punk decade with its fascinating freedom, symbolised by an explosion of energy, is embodied by a jubilant woman. In Virginie Viard’s mind, evoking the 1970s is like asking everything that generates their pulse to bring rhythm into our lives today.
“The former Palais de Justice in Dakar, where not only the runway show but also a major part of the accompanying artistic programme are taking place, is one of the most beautiful venues we have ever presented a collection in. It was an obvious choice, and has been a source of inspiration as well,” said Virginie Viard.
The collection takes shape with long, fitted coats, tight, flared trousers, seventies collars, platform shoes, sweatshirts that are oversized, colourful and embroidered with flowers, multicoloured tweeds and dresses shorter at the front than behind.
Codes dear to the House are being celebrated, even within the floral motifs. The embroidery work, with its clusters of camellias, intertwined pearls, forests of jewelled buttons and dazzling sequins, harmonises with that of the coated, pleated lace in black or white.
Virginie Viard wanted to celebrate the artistic scene of this leading cultural capital and the disciplines that she is so fond of, starting with dance with the École des Sables and Dimitri Chamblas, the choreographer of the Slow Show that welcomes guests to the runway show. The dancers from the École des Sables met up with singer Obree Daman and his choir in Dakar’s former Palais de Justice. DBN Gogo provided the musical finale of the show.
Backstage at the show, Caroline de Maigret shares her first impressions on the 2022/23 Métiers d’art Chanel – Dakar collection.