Fashion changes, but style endures.
NGV has announced that an exclusive exhibition about the legendary French couturière Gabrielle Chanel is coming to Melbourne this December. It will be the first exhibition in Australia that focuses on Chanel’s significant contribution to twentieth century fashion. The Chanel exhibition will land in Melbourne on Saturday December 4, coinciding with the return of the NGV Gala.
Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto.
See the impressive range of Chanel’s work at NGV this December. After premiering in France in 2020, this exhibition will make its international debut right here in Melbourne.
“Fashion lovers from around the country will flock to Melbourne for this exclusive exhibition of Chanel works, straight from its debut in Paris to Australia’s very own fashion capital,” said Brendan McClements, Visit Victoria CEO.
Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto was developed by iconic fashion museum, Palais Galliera. It also features loans from Chanel’s heritage department, the Direction du Patrimoine de CHANEL. On top of that, this exhibition will feature loans from several other museums and private collections, taking this to a display of over 100 garments.
As one of the twentieth century’s most influential designers, Gabrielle Chanel reformed women’s fashion into something that favoured comfort, elegance, function and social freedom. According to Miren Arzalluz, Director of Palais Galliera and co-curator of the exhibition, Gabrielle Chanel created a “timeless style for a new kind of woman. That was her fashion manifesto, a legacy that has never gone out of style.”
This exhibition will display her work across several chronological and thematic sections. Trace the steps of her career by seeing the garments alongside her innovations in perfume, jewellery and accessory design.
Expect iconic Chanel suits, delicate lace gowns, bold costume jewellery and early examples of black garments that indicated modernity and chic. There will be items on display that have never been seen before, including a white lace evening dress and a red silk velvet evening cape lined with marabou.
NGV Gala
Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto will premier at the NGV Gala on December 4. At this black tie event, you’ll be able to celebrate art, fashion and fine food. Due to the pandemic, this will be the first NGV Gala since 2019.
The party runs from 8pm to 1am and will set you back $375. Otherwise, $2000 will get you dinner and a party from 6pm to 1am.
Of course, you don’t have to go to the Gala to see the exhibition. Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto will be in Melbourne from December 5 to April 25, so you’ll have the whole of summer to enjoy it. General adult tickets are $30 each.
Click here for more information about the exhibition.