Everything inside Chanel's Métiers d'art Manchester fashion show invite bag guests were sent
Chanel's Métiers d'art show invite encompasses Manchester's cultural, historical and fashion roots - past and present
by Rachel Pugh · Manchester Evening NewsTomorrow Manchester will host the Chanel Métiers d'art show - one of the most significant events in the fashion calendar. Having graced culturally relevant locations such as Dakar, Tokyo and New York, Manchester has been chosen as the venue for the 2023 show, with the fashion house citing it as "one of the most effervescent cities of pop culture and an avant-garde one, whose bands, spanning all genres, have changed the history of music."
On Tuesday, invitations were sent out to many of the guests who will be attending the show - and we were lucky enough to be included. While we can't confirm the details on the actual invite itself, we are able to give you a glance of what else guests found inside their bags.
Having understood Chanel's reasons for choosing Manchester to host the star-studded event, it was no surprise to see the invite marking some of the city's most culturally relevant moments - all of which would make any Manc feel proud. In previous years, Chanel has aimed to engage in a dialogue with the city hosting it, and Manchester is no exception.
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The invite itself is presented in a large red bag, emblazoned with images from the city's past, with graphics of its rave scene, the Suffragettes and textile mills all featuring prominently on a background to the Chanel Métiers d'art branding. Inside the bag, there were several items to be found - all of which have significance to the city, and have clearly been carefully chosen by Chanel's team.
Inside the bag, alongside the invitation itself, there are three key items - the first of which is a scarf. Perhaps a nod to the city's reputation for being eternally cold (and don't we know it), the gold-speckled monochromatic scarf is emblazoned with the word 'MCR' in bold letters on each tail end, below which is the brand's floral Camellia emblem.
Also inside is a vinyl, with songs curated by Michel Gaubert - one of fashion's leading sound directors. Having started his career at the Paris nightclub Le Palace in the early 80s, it makes him the ideal choice to soundtrack for one of the world's most iconic rave cities.
The final item inside the invitation bag, is a large, glossy copy of magazine Chaos69. For those who love history, this may be the most exciting thing inside Chanel's invitation bag, as it has information and photographs aplenty.
(Image: Rachel Pugh)
While we're not able to share images from the magazine itself, some of our favourite pages include nods to Coronation Street (a black and white photograph of Hilda Ogden takes precedence on one page, while a 'Chanel Street' sign features on another), Manchester United and City Football Clubs, shots from the Hacienda's effervescent nightlife scene, the city's old textile mills, and the Suffragette movement, which started here in the city.
There are also nods to more contemporary musicians like Bugzy Malone, Meekz, Children of Zeus, and Pie Radio - Manchester's Number 1 Youth-Led Radio station. And no fashion magazine would be complete without outfit editorials.
Some of the pictures include models styling both Manchester United and Manchester City football club T-shirts, over Chanel jeans, and the brand's take on bomber and shell suit jackets which nod to the city's mod culture.
Having seen everything inside the bag, one thing is for certain. Chanel understands Manchester, in terms both past and present, and is going to great lengths to engage in a dialogue with the city. So we can expect big things come Thursday.