The Chanel Cruise show at the Grand Palais in Paris, May 3, 2018.WireImage
Closed for several years due to work, the Grand Palais will reopen its doors to the public in October. What better way to inaugurate it than with one of its flagship events: the Chanel fashion show. A partnership which, however, does not date from yesterday. We tell you.
30.09.2024, 16:5230.09.2024, 18:36
Follow me
In 2005, Karl Lagerfeld, artistic director of Chanel, decided to storm one of the most emblematic places in Paris: the Grand Palais, rue de Bercy, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900 and since arbitrating prestigious events and exhibitions.
For more than a decade, he made the place his playground, sometimes transforming it from top to bottom – into Place Vendôme, a supermarket or a casino – to organize grandiose fashion shows that fashion enthusiasts remember today. today again. “If you do a show with only dresses and girls coming out of one room and crossing another, it won’t be seen around the world,” he said at the time, quoted in the columns of New York Times.
“Chanel is fashion, but it’s also beauty. It has to be global”
Karl Lagerfeld
See instead:
The Grand Palais transformed into Place Vendôme and plunged into darkness, in July 2011. A decor inspired by the film Metropolisaccording to Vogue. Getty Images Europe
Karl Lagerfeld redesigned the place into a supermarket during Paris Fashion Week in March 2014.Image: Corbis Entertainment
Then in the casino, in July 2015.Image: Corbis Entertainment
After several years of absence due to renovations and improvements to the building, Chanel will once again take over the Grand Palais on Tuesday October 1 during Paris Fashion Week. The fashion house will present its spring-summer 2025 collection there and will thus officially inaugurate the reopening of the place to the public, after the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
A great return which, however, does not stop only at the parade.
Exclusive patron
Since 2018, under the aegis of Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel has become the exclusive patron of the Grand Palais and is contributing 25 million euros to its renovation, work on which began in 2021. A commitment which has just been reiterated until 2028 for an amount of 30 million euros.
This support is “essential” to help with artistic and cultural programming – the French state only provides 17% of the institution’s annual budget, recalls WWD – and ensures the fashion house has exclusive use of the nave, the glass and steel structure, for its fashion shows. Possible synergies will also be possible, “without influencing the programming,” assures Bruno Pavlovsky, fashion president at Chanel.
The Chanel Haute Couture show, in July 2010. Image: French Select
Vacancy
As D-day approaches, two questions remain unanswered: who will take over the reins of artistic direction at Chanel? Last June, Virginie Viard announced her departure after being criticized for her lack of audacity. The succession, which was intended to be temporary – it ultimately lasted five years – was carefully prepared by the Kaiser. Several names have been mentioned, but nothing has yet been confirmed. To be continued!
Chanel fashion show under the artistic direction of Virginie Viar, in January 2020. Getty Images Europe
Second question: what will the parade look like this fall? Will it be bold and extravagant? According to some, Virginie Viar produced more “minimalist” shows, unlike those of her predecessor. The question was asked to Bruno Pavlovsky: “It will depend on the possible new artistic director,” he replied. And to add:
“I hope that we will occupy the nave with the necessary audacity, because it is important, but without trying to compete with the extraordinary work of Karl”
Bruno Pavlovsky, au WWD.
Answer(s) on October 1st.
