Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2021 Show Will Now Be an Audience-Free Affair

Chanel‘s Métiers d’Art show is returning next month, but it’s going to be a little different than initially expected. In light of France’s national lockdown, the highly anticipated fashion show will not only be an audience-free affair, but it will also be presented in a digital format.

The iconic maison recently announced its plans to go ahead with the Métiers d’Art show at the Château de Chenonceau in France on December 1, 2020, however, it will now be streamed online without any audience present. This year’s edition will see the spectacular French fortress, located in France’s Loire Valley, feature as the backdrop for the show; presenting creative director Virginie Viard’s second métiers collection as a cinematic experience.

The Métiers d’Art event is famed for showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of the couture-level suppliers that the Paris-based house has worked with over the years. The show will spotlight top-end embroiderers, feather makers, paruriers, pleaters, shoemakers, milliners, and glove makers in the collection.

Over the past decade, Chanel has taken its Métiers d’Art show on a global tour, showcasing at glamorous locations including New York, Tokyo, Hamburg, and Shanghai. However, the annual outing returned to France last December following the passing longtime creative director, Karl Lagerfeld in February 2019.

During the pandemic, Chanel was one of the first major brands to return to the runway for a physical catwalk this year. The house has been vocal about the importance of traditional catwalk shows with its unparalleled ability of storytelling. Last month Viard invited 500 guests to witness Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection at the Grand Palais for Paris fashion week. The show saw Viard honor her love for film, as the Chanel logo morphed into the Hollywood sign in captivating style.

vogue