After a four-year hiatus, Chanel is poised to make a spectacular return to the Grand Palais, one of Paris’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
The fashion house’s ready-to-wear show on October 1 will not mark the beginning of Paris Fashion Week but also the official reopening of the Grand Palais to the public following renovations and its role in the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Ganes. This moment signifies much more than just a show – it’s the beginning of a new chapter in Chanel’s deep-rooted relationship with the Grand Palais and Parisian culture.
Beyond the runway, Chanel has solidified its commitment to the future of the storied venue. Over the next five year, the brand will contribute 30 million euros to the budget of the Grand Palais, securing exclusive rights to the nave for their fashion shows. The investment not only highlights Chanel’s dedication to the arts but also ensures that the Grand Palais continues to thrive as a leading cultural institution.
Chanel and the Grand Palais: A Fashion Legacy Reignited
Chanel’s history with the Grand Palais dates back to 2005, when the legendary Karl Lagerfeld transformed the vast, glass-and-steel space into some of the most imaginative and iconic sets in fashion history. Who could forget the giant iceberg or the full-sized reproduction of the Eiffel Tower? Lagerfeld’s vision turned the Grand Palais into a living, breathing extension of the Chanel brand, a space where fashion, art, and culture collided in spectacular form.
However, in more recent years, under the creative direction of Virginie Viard, Chanel’s runway shows have take on a more minimalist, introspective tone. With her departure in June and the search for a new artistic director underway, fashion insiders are left wondering what the future hold for Chanel’s return to the Grand Palais. Will the new creative head opt for grandiosity like Lagerfeld, or maintain Viard’s understated approach? Chanel’s Bruno Pavlovsly, president of fashion and president of Chanel SAS, remains focused on striking the right balance: “I hope we will occupy the nave with the right degree of audacity…without trying to compete with Karl’s extraordinary work”.
It’s an exciting time for the brand, and this upcoming show promises to set the tone for the next era of Chanel’s fashion journey.
A New Creative Chapter
The departure of Virginie Viard, who had worked at Chanel for over three decades, has left a notable gap in the fashion house’s leadership. Finding a replacement for a brand as monumental as Chanel is no small task. While the process of selecting a new creative director remains ongoing, Pavlovsky is optimistic. He notes that there are a “lot of brilliant people out there”, but also acknowledges the complexity of securing the right person for such a pivotal role.
Chanel has always been about long-term relationship. Lagerfeld held his position for 36 years, and Viard, though shorter in her role as creative director, was integral to the brand for decades. Pavlovsky emphasizes that the goal is to find someone who can foster a similarly lasting relationship with the house, guiding Chanel into its next chapter while respecting its storied past.
Supporting Culture: Chanel’s Commitment to the Grand Palais and Beyond
Beyond fashion, Chanel’s investment in the Grand Palais is a testament to its ongoing commitment to cultural institutions. This isn’t just about runway shows – Chanel is taking a significant role in ensuring that the Grand Palais remains a central hub for art and culture in Paris. As part of its 30 million euro contribution, Chanel will be actively involved in supporting the cultural programming of the venue, a move that strengthens its alliance with the city’s artistic scene.
The Grand Palais itself is undergoing a renaissance. Spanning a colossal 775,000 square feet – larger than even the Palace of Versailles – the venue is set to host a dynamic range of events and exhibitions in collaboration with major museums such as the Louvre, the Centre Pompidou, and the newly renovated space will be an immersive cultural destinations for Parisians and tourists alike.
In a joint interview with WWD, Didier Fusillier, president of the Grant Palais, Pavlovsky emphasized how private partnership are essential to the venue’s survival. Only 17% of the Grand Palais’ annual budget is provided by the French state, making Chanel’s support critical for its future success. As Fusillier put it, “You have to realize that the Grand Palais is bigger than the Palace of Versailles. With the renovation, we’ll be able to use the full volume of the venue. That will be a big shock for the public”.
Paris Fashion Week: The Grand Palais Takes Center Stage
As Paris Fashion Week approach, the excitement is palpable. Chanel’s show on October 1 will be the first major event to reopen the Grand Palais to the public, following its use during the Paris Olympics and Paralympic. The fashion house’s return to the space is symbolic – it’s a reunion of two great icons, Chanel and the Grand Palais, after a four-year break.
In the words of Pavlovsky, “It’s magical to be able to do this right after the Olympic Games.” Chanel’s show will be closely followed by the Art Basel Paris fair in October and an exhibition by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota in December, signalling a rich season of art and culture at the Grand Palais.
This whirlwind of events showcases the venue’s versatility. A space that, only weeks earlier, hosted fencing and tae kwon de competitions, will now be transformed into a fashion paradise and an art haven, offering spectators a glimpse into the multifaceted future of the Grand Palais.
A New Cultural Hub for Paris
Chanel’s partnership with Grand Palais is more than just a financial arrangement; it represents a deep-rooted commitment to shaping the cultural landscape of Paris. With major exhibitions planned in collaboration with museums like the Musée d’Orsay, the venue will be a center of artistic innovation for years to come.
Chanel has long been a patron of arts. Through its Chanel Culture Fund, the brand supports emerging artists and collaborates with international institutions to promote creativity. From its partnership with the Palais Galliera, Paris’ fashion museum, to the Paris Opera, Chanel has embedded itself within the fabric of Parisian cultural life.
The Grand Palais is perhaps Chanel’s most ambitious cultural project to date. With 81 acres of surrounding parkland and 20 galleries to fill, the venue is set to become a world-class destination for art lovers. The scale of this project cannot be overstated – Fusillier describes the completed renovations as a “shock for the public”, with spaces previously closed off now open for explorations.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Chanel role in the Grand Palais goes beyond fashion. The Studio MTX, Chanel’s in-house design department, will be creating a monumental curtain to adapt the space for various events. The curtain, designed in collaboration with the Chanel-owned embroidery workshop Montex, will be a centerpiece of the Grand Palais’ transformation, and it will be crafted during public workshops starting in November.
Pavlovsky hinted at future collaborations, including the possibility of Chanel sponsoring exhibitions at the Grand Palais. “Our partnership makes anything possible”, he said. This hints at a future where Chanel’s influence extends even further into the cultural fabric of Paris, supporting not only fashion but art, music, and performance.
As we prepare for Chanel’s grand return to the Grand Palais on October 1, one thing is clear: this is not just a fashion show -it’s a celebration of Paris culture, heritage, and innovation. With Chanel’s vision and commitment, the Grand Palais is set to become an event more integral part of the city’s artistic heart.
At DASSARIS, we can’t wait to see how this partnership will shape the future of both Chanel and the Grand Palais, cementing their place as cultural icons for generations to come.
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