CHANEL Short Film: The timeless 2024/25 Métiers d'Art collection at West Lake

“...West Lake (Xihu), one of the most renowned lakes in Hangzhou, China, serves as the backdrop for the CHANEL 2024/25 Métiers d'art Collection fashion show. This event celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship of haute couture, set against the stunning scenery of the lake. The breathtaking landscape also features prominently in a new film directed by Wim Wenders, starring CHANEL ambassadors Tilda Swinton and Xin Zhilei, alongside Leah Dou, the brand’s newly appointed ambassador…”

The CHANEL 2024/25 Métiers d'art Collection fashion show, a celebration of haute couture craftsmanship and artistry, took place on 3rd December at West Lake in Hangzhou, China. Hangzhou was a fitting venue, given its rich heritage in silk production and trade, as well as its status as a hub of creativity and artisanal skills. The city’s stunning landscapes and iconic lake have inspired countless poets and artists throughout history. This time, the breathtaking scenery became the backdrop for a new film by acclaimed director Wim Wenders, starring CHANEL ambassadors Tilda Swinton and Xin Zhilei, along with Leah Dou, the brand’s newly appointed ambassador.

The collection was beautifully reflected in a short film exploring the profound connection between West Lake and Gabrielle Chanel, the founder of CHANEL. Gabrielle often envisioned the lake through a Chinese lacquer screen, one of the treasures she adorned her private office with at Rue Cambon in Paris. Among these, the screen depicting Hangzhou’s stunning landscapes held a special place. She once remarked, “I would faint with happiness when I walked into a Chinese art dealer and saw a Coromandel”

This screen inspired Wim Wenders' film, weaving stories of life and interaction reminiscent of ripples on water and breezes moving through trees, rivers, and landmarks. The imagery captured within the screen sparked Gabrielle Chanel's dreams and creative vision. Although she never visited China herself, these scenes and her imagination played a vital role in shaping her iconic design aesthetic.

The film was created to celebrate the CHANEL 2024/25 Métiers d'art Collection in Hangzhou. It honours West Lake's cultural heritage while showcasing the power of transcending reality through imagery and inspiration. The film serves as a tribute to journeys, both literal and imagined and highlights the vitality and connections that arise when cross-cultural dialogues are forged.

The central motif of the lacquer screen is reimagined as a window to the future, blending modern technology such as laptop screens and cameras. The film seamlessly intertwines dreams of the past with contemporary life, offering a vision of Hangzhou as a city that harmoniously fuses tradition with modernity. This creative narrative underscores how the city's essence as a timeless yet forward-looking metropolis perfectly aligns with CHANEL's spirit of innovation and artistry.

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