She's Electric

Inspired by Manchester's musical heritage and gritty edge, CHANEL's Métiers d'Art 2023/24 collection celebrates the dynamic spirit of today's women with a playful, vibrant twist on the classic tweed.

- ROHAIZATUL AZHAR

The scene was set in the very heart of Manchester, where the historic charm of Thomas Street meets a spirited celebration of fashion. It was here in the city's industrial Northern Quarter, that outgoing creative director Virginie Viard unveiled Chanel's Métiers d'Art 23/24 collection last December. The collection is the brand's annual showcase of all the artisans housed under its le19M umbrella, which keeps the craft of couture alive. Viard combined the city's rich musical heritage-Manchester is where musical legends the likes of Oasis, Joy Division, New Order, and The Smiths hailed from-with quintessential Chanel sophistication, resulting in a symphony of colour and texture.

This spirit of creativity is vividly captured in the collection's campaign, which was released last month. Shot by Swedish photographer Mikael Jansson, the campaign is a playful pop interpretation of tweed. Models Lulu Tenney, Loli Bahia and Alaato Jazyper brought the collection to life by embodying modern, joyful femininity in striking black-and-white and coloured diptychs.

The monochrome images highlight the graphic lines of the suits, coats, and jackets, accessorised with tweed caps by hat maker Maison Michel, and camellias by Maison Lemarié, master of feather and floral creations. In contrast, the colour images showcased the dynamic potential of tweed: A bright green jacket trimmed with braid and croquet by the Paloma atelier, known for its intricate fabric work, was paired with the iconic 11.12 bag; a lilac tweed jacket came with built-in silk cuffs; and an orange coat was accessorised with a matching bag.