Photos show final preparations ahead of huge Chanel fashion extravaganza in Manchester's Northern Quarter

All eyes in the fashion world are on Manchester this week

Final preparations are underway for Chanel’s exclusive Métiers d’Art show, taking place in the Northern Quarter on Thursday. Chanel fever has gripped the city in recent weeks as Thomas Street began its transformation into a catwalk with the construction of a huge canopy.

Now with the fashion show just over 24 hours away, last minute touches are being made to the city centre location. Tables and chairs have been moved onto the street, lining the edges of the catwalk.

Some rumours suggest the show could take the form of a street scene with models walking among the tables, creating the illusion of a busy night out in the Northern Quarter. The canopy has been rigged with lights and fully weather-proofed to keep the VIPs dry.

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A backstage area is thought to be set up in the courtyard behind the former fish market gates, where the models and creatives will prepare for the catwalk, expected to take place on Thursday evening between 5pm and 8pm. A second structure is also being built along the cobbles of High Street.

An impressive 600 VIP guests have been invited to attend the prestigious show, which translates as “masters of art”. A-listers from across the globe are due to jet into the city, including film stars, music legends and supermodels.

A huge Chanel mural appeared on the corner of High Street and Thomas Street as the luxury fashion brand revealed on Tuesday why it had chosen Manchester to host the show. The designer described Manchester as an “effervescent city” that has “changed the history of music”.

Publicity material for the Métiers d’Art show celebrates Manchester’s cultural heritage with Factory Records imagery, while music from New Order was used to accompany the Instagram post. Those who have been invited received their official invitations this week in branded Chanel gift bags.

The official after-party for the show will be held at Manchester's historic Victoria Baths, where guests will party the night away in the former-swimming pool. On Friday the baths will then open to the public where a major retrospective exhibition is being held there across the weekend, supported by Chanel.

A film of the Métiers d’Art show will be revealed to the public on Friday at 9am Manchester time, 10am Paris time. In a post on its Instagram on Tuesday, Chanel said: "CHANEL has chosen to present the 2023/24 Métiers d’art show in Manchester, 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."

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