CHANEL 2024/25 Métiers d’Art: An Ethereal Voyage From Paris to Hangzhou

The Chanel 2024/25 Métiers d’art show unfolded as a captivating dialogue between tradition and imagination. As a sneak peek, Magnifissance‘s forthcoming March/April edition will take readers on an exclusive journey to experience firsthand the masterful savoir-faire behind the show’s magnificence.

The magic began with the setting: the legendary West Lake in Hangzhou. Known for inspiring countless artists over the centuries, this iconic location was famously depicted on a 19th-century Coromandel screen in Gabrielle Chanel’s Paris apartment at 31 rue Cambon—the largest piece in her collection. Though Mademoiselle Chanel never traveled to the Far East, she was deeply drawn to its rich cultural heritage and landscapes. Many of her designs from the 1950s and 60s bore clear Oriental influences. “I would faint with happiness when I walked into a Chinese art dealer and saw a Coromandel,” she once remarked. The screen’s scenic motifs offered a window into these distant, exotic lands, profoundly shaping the couturière’s vision.

The stunning West Lake and the vibrant city of Hangzhou—renowned for its rich silk manufacturing history—also serve as the backdrop for a film directed by Wim Wenders. Starring CHANEL brand ambassadors Tilda Swinton, Xin Zhilei, and Leah Dou, the film weaves a story of connection and creativity, bridging Paris and Hangzhou in a cross-cultural dialogue. West Lake is transformed into a metaphorical meeting point, where history, craftsmanship, and innovation seamlessly converge. Both the show and the film explore a central theme: the timeless power of imagination, sparked by images and stories, to transcend geography and time.

A tribute to artisanal craftsmanship and CHANEL’s legacy, the Métiers d’art 2024/25 collection pays homage to the enchanting region of Hangzhou and the enduring connection between Gabrielle Chanel and West Lake. From the timeless beauty of Coromandel screens to the digital screens of today, the collection opens a new window to the world—blending tradition, modernity, and a spirit of curiosity that sparks imagination and creativity.