An Exclusive Peek at CHANEL’s Métiers d’Art Ateliers

CHANEL couture is known for its timeless elegance, thanks partly to the brand’s Métiers d’Art, the specialized ateliers that craft the exquisite details of its creations.

The skilled masters of these ateliers form the foundation of the CHANEL aesthetic by working tirelessly to bring the House’s vision and iconic codes to life. 

With CHANEL’s Métiers d’Art 2021/2022 collection now in stores, we get an exclusive peek at its behind-the-scenes magic by witnessing the exceptional work and savoir-faire of seven of its prestigious ateliers. 

Join us on a private tour of these remarkable workshops.

ATELIER MONTEX

Uniting ancestral traditions with contemporary design, embroidery atelier Montex has been in business since 1939 but joined Chanel Métiers d’art in 2011. 

The atelier’s distinct character lies in its elaborately detailed designs, handmade using a sophisticated crochet technique called Lunéville, or with a century-old hand-guided embroidery machine, known as the Cornely. 

The resulting embroidery graces everything from jerseys to knitwear and even bags. 

GOOSSENS

The goldsmithing workshop of Goossens became part of the Métiers d’art in 2005, yet its history with CHANEL goes far beyond that. 

In 1954, Goossens began working with Gabrielle Chanel to recreate the Byzantine-style jewelry pieces she admired and later designed some of the furniture for her apartment at 31 rue Cambon. 

Goossens’ creations for CHANEL’s 2021/ 2022 Métiers d’Art collection pay homage to the symbols held dear by Gabrielle Chanel: medallions embossed with her profile, Byzantine-style cross-shaped pendants, and the lion motif, referencing her zodiac sign, Leo.

MASSARO

Established in 1894, shoemaker Massaro is renowned for crafting each pair of shoes entirely by hand. Massaro officially joined the Métiers d’art in 2002. Still, the atelier has been collaborating with CHANEL since 1957, when it first created the two-tone shoe that would become one of the brand’s signatures. 

Massaro’s iconic heeled Mary-Jane pump, crafted from buttery goatskin, returns for 2021/2022 in four new color interpretations that pair with everything from classic tweed suits to long silk dresses and jeans. 

LEMARIÉ

From the delicate petals of its emblematic camellia blossom to feathers and flounces, atelier Lemarie has been elevating CHANEL’s pieces with its exceptionally crafted feather and flower work since partnering with the brand in the 1960s. 

Every floral ornament is hand-assembled petal by petal, while armfuls of feathers are sorted and combed, curled, or woven. These pieces embellish CHANEL’s creations, adding character to each item.

MAISON MICHEL

Established in 1936, hatter Maison Michel is the heir to a millinery business operating since the 14th century. Having joined Métiers d’art in 1997, Maison Michel strives to preserve the traditional savoir-faire of the hatmaker’s trade by handing down its wisdom to future generations. 

Maison Michel artisans handcraft hat crowns and brims using 3,000 historic lime wood forms collected over the years. The hats are then embellished with braids, flowers, feathers and other details for an exceptional look.

LESAGE

CHANEL would be unimaginable without its iconic tweeds, and the talented hands at the embroidery and tweed maker studio Lesage are the ones bringing the signature fabric to life. 

Lesage has been working with CHANEL since 1983, joining the Métiers d’art in 2002. The atelier’s skill with embroidery shines in its handmade designs. 

One such piece echoes the concrete weave of the le19M building, with embroidery made using the Lunéville crochet technique and needlework.

THE LOGNON ATELIERS

The intricate texture created by precisely executed pleats adds a new level of refinement and dimension to a garment. For CHANEL, this complex skill is the work of Lognon Ateliers, a long-established pleater that joined Lemarie and the Métiers d’art in 2013. 

Whether knife, flat, sunray, or Watteau style, Lognon crafts its pleats on 3,000 kraft cardboard folding moulds resembling origami. 

Some 224 hours of work go into a skirt made of 63 metres of black silk ribbons, while an accordion-pleated silk organza skirt symbolizes the collaboration between CHANEL and the Métiers d’art artisans: pleated by Lognon and embellished by Lemarié.