Fashion pioneer Coco Chanel’s first London retrospective
The retrospective exhibition of fashion designer Gabrielle Chanel, which fashion fans had been waiting for for a long time, was held in London, UK for the first time.
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London exhibits a retrospective history of fashion by Gabrielle Chanel, founder of Chanel (Photo: Anna Shih)
The exhibition is an event that fashion fans have been eagerly anticipating. As soon as the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London announced the exhibition schedule in 2023, tickets sold out immediately! What captivates the public is that this theme is based on the retrospective exhibition of the same name held at the Palais Galliera in Paris in 2020. An additional 120 exhibits have been added, bringing the total to more than 200 items on display. Designer Gabrielle Chanel opened her first boutique in 1910 and launched her final collection just weeks before her death in 1971. The exhibition is divided into 10 themes, showcasing Ms. Chanel's innovations in fabrics, clothing silhouettes, and structures. Along with the iconic little black dress, 2.55 bag, and signature tweed suit, the exhibition also features classic two-tone heels, stunning jewellery, and the first-ever N°5 fragrance.
Beyond exploring the designer’s life and career evolution, visitors gain insight into the evolution of fashion from the 1920s to the 1970s, from the straight dresses and exquisite gowns of the 1920s to the modern lines of the 1950s and 1960s, even incorporating the X silhouette influenced by Dior. The exhibition also includes photographs of contemporary actresses wearing Chanel designs, fabrics influenced by British style, and personal correspondence with Prime Minister Churchill. A highlight of the exhibition is the display of 50 tweed suits and a collection of gorgeous evening gowns showcased on a trapezoidal mirrored stage. One of the silver evening gowns was worn by Elizabeth Taylor when she met Princess Margaret in 1967.
The ladder-shaped booth shows Ms. Chanel’s fashion evolution over more than ten years. (Photo: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London)
In addition to viewing the various design works throughout the exhibition, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the designer's classics and creative pieces, which seamlessly blend personal style with innovation. These timeless designs continue to shape and influence the fashion industry to this day.
Exhibition information: Vicoria and Albert Museum, London Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto (2023.9.16 - 2024.02.25)
