Chanel Métiers d’Art Collection 2024｜A tribute to Manchester’s Music Culture

On December 8, Chanel held its “Métiers d’Art 2024” show in Manchester, England.

Chanel’s Métiers d’Art collection focuses on the creative dialogue and reflects the connections fostered between the artistic director of the fashion collections Virginie Viard, the ateliers at Rue Cambon, the Maisons d’Art at le19m, and artists and friends of the house, cities, and cultures in each season.

Manchester, the city chosen by Chanel to host the show, is known as the world’s first industrial city and has flourished until the early 1960s with the textile industry and factories serving as its main economic base. During the 1980s and early 1990s, the city became internationally known as a stage for indie rock and dance music, producing influential bands such as The Stone Roses, Joy Division, New Order, Oasis, and The Smiths. At the same period, house music and techno also thrived in the club scene, and clubs such as the Hacienda attracted much attention, leaving an indelible mark on the history of music.

Known for its vibrant pop culture and avant-garde spirit, Manchester is a place of overlapping personal feelings for Viard, bringing back memories of her grandparents’ country town, Lyon, and her relationship with the music of her youth.

The event took place on a Thursday evening with the street blocked off with a glass roof to protect attendees from the rain. As the show progresses, it becomes clear that the Métiers d’Art collection is not a literal interpretation of the original, but rather a nostalgia for the decades when the Manchester music scene was at its peak.

Inspired by the 70s, 80s, and 90s, the knee-length or shorter mini-skirts are reconstructed with the highest quality materials from 19 specialized workshops, and these delicate details are brought to life through a variety of textures that seem to reflect the complexity of the bustling city.

Viard also incorporated Manchester’s music culture very naturally into the collection. Many looks playfully expressed the rock and roll aesthetic, such as a black jacket lined with voluminous orange fur and feathers, or a long black quilted leather coat with a cropped top with ribbon motifs and a burgundy long-sleeved knit layered under it.

Moreover, this edgy vibe was further enhanced by accessories such as newsboy caps, knee-high socks, extra-long scarves, and beanies. Other accessories included tiny guitar and musical note charms dangling from gold and pearl chains, and micro-shoulder bags in the shape of vinyl records.

The overall color palette of the collection was a departure from the dark and moody vibe expected from Viardot’s past inspirations, with bright, vibrant fall-inspired color schemes that complemented the gentle, bold femininity of the collection.

View all looks from the Chanel Métiers d’Art 2024 collection in the gallery below.