Chanel presented a replica show of its 2022/23 Métiers d’art collection in Japan on June 1. Friends of the brand flocked to Tokyo to attend the special occasion, which featured performances by a dance crew from Tama Art University, the Senegalese rapper NIX, and the Japanese guitarist Ichika Nito on the runway. Meanwhile, BLACKPINK’s Jennie Kim and Japanese girl group CHAI offered performances at the after-party.

The most recent showing of the 2022/23 Métiers d’art collection revitalized Chanel’s unique practice of shining light on the craftsmanship behind the French brand. It also served to celebrate the longstanding friendship between Chanel and Japan.

Métiers d’art 2022/23

Originally debuting in Dakar, Senegal, in December 2022, the Métiers d’art 2022/23 collection is an homage to 1970s femininity. Drawing from the era’s fashion themes, the collection features geometric patterns, subtle plant imagery, and perfectly retro-inspired silhouettes. Designed by Virginie Viard, Chanel’s creative director, the collection’s contours “riff[ed] on influences from the pop-soul-funk-disco-punk of the 1970s.” Attendees may have recognized familiar textures like tweed and denim while taking note of hints of lace and statement jewelry. 

Showing the collection in Dakar was a significant turning point for Chanel and marked the start of a blossoming relationship between the French brand and Senegal. Rather than simply showcasing a runway show, the brand collaborated with local artists to create a celebration of Senegalese culture across a series of events. Not only was this Chanel’s first runway show in Africa, but it was also the first show by a major European brand in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Take 2 in Tokyo

Taking the collection to Tokyo on June 1 was a nod to Chanel’s strong presence in Japan. Originally teased in a trailer video starring Japanese actress and Chanel ambassador Nana Komatsu, the show attracted local and international House friends and ambassadors. Among the celebrities spotted were Chinese multihyphenate Wang Yibo, Japanese actress and model Aya Omasa, global ambassador Kristen Stewart, and Taiwanese actor Bolin Chen. Chanel’s darling Jennie was spotted, fresh off her Cannes debut, talking to fellow South Korean actor Park Seojoon. At the after party, the K-pop star also performed her unreleased single “You & Me” and a cover of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To The Moon,” while Japanese girl group CHAI raised the energy in bright pink and white ensembles.

Chanel’s annual Métiers d’art show honors the artisans working behind the scenes with a collection that is neither haute couture nor Ready-to-Wear. As per Chanel tradition, the Métiers d’art 2022/23 presentation brought a celebration of fashion and culture to Dakar and, later, Tokyo — an unprecedented move for the French label. With the fashion industry often receiving criticism for its lack of diverse representation, globally-oriented runway shows accompanied by cultural events may begin to bridge this gap.

Interested in more recent fashion news? Read about the best moments from the Cannes Film Festival here.

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