A Chanel Fashion Exhibition Is Coming To London

As one of the most famous designer brands of all time, it’s unsurprising that interest continues to surround its female founder, Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel. The Victoria & Albert Museum’s upcoming launch, Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto, is the “first UK exhibition dedicated to the work of French couturière.”

Notably, the exhibition has been met with mixed reviews on the V&A’s Instagram account, with users citing Coco Chanel’s connections to the Nazis in World War II. It’s unclear how much the V&A’s showcase will explore these themes, if at all, but the dialogue surrounding the exhibit seems to focus on her contribution to fashion, rather than her personal/political life.

What’s Inside?

From her first millinery boutique in Paris in 1910 to her final collection in 1971, this exhibition spans over 180 looks drawn together for the first time – including everything from jewellery to accessories, cosmetics and perfumes. Loosely based on The Palais Galliera’s exhibition in 2020, but reimagined for the V&A, the new exhibit forefronts her design legacy.

“As one of the most successful fashion houses in existence, Chanel owes much to the templates first laid down by its founder Gabrielle Chanel, over a century ago,” said Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A. “We are delighted to be partnering with Chanel and the Palais Galliera on this exhibition, which provides us with the opportunity to explore the origins and elements of this enduring style and to display little-known historic Chanel garments from the V&A collection.”