Chanel to spotlight Paris’ artisans
Parisian luxury house Chanel recently announced that the upcoming showing of its 2021-2022 Métiers d’art presentation will take place on December 7 at Le19M in the French capital.
As ever, Chanel’s choice of venue is significant. Yet, rather than travel internationally or stage the event at a more typically on-brand location in Paris, such as rue Cambon or the Grand Palais, the business has opted to site the show in the Porte d’Aubervilliers area to the north of the city, where Le19M is located.
So-named for its location within the nineteenth arrondissement area, the letter “m” in its name refers to the French words mains (hands), mode (fashion), métiers (trades), maisons (houses) and manufactures (factories). The number 19 is also itself “emblematic” of the brand, it said, bringing to mind the successful Chanel 19 flap bag and No 19 fragrance.
The 25,500-square-metre space is home to around 600 artisans from 11 firms, many of whom work for Chanel and some of whom work for other luxury houses. Among those who supply Chanel include shoemaker Massaro, milliner Maison Michel and feather and flower maker Lemarié.
Chanel said that its choice of venue reflected its commitment to the preservation and development of historical fashion know-how, plus showcased its desire to celebrate France’s “exceptional artisanal heritage”.
Image: Massaro via Instagram.
