Chanel is set to pay a vibrant tribute to all the skilled seamstresses and artisans who add splendour to its creations at the presentation of its 2021-22 Métiers d'Art collection. The French luxury label’s annual show on December 7 will not in fact be staged at one of its preferred venues, on rue Cambon or at the Grand Palais in Paris, but at the brand-new 19M building in the French capital.

Chanel has made a bold, symbolic choice by picking the 19M building as the venue for its next Métiers d'Art show. Located close to Porte d'Aubervilliers in the north of Paris, the building, home to the specialist artisans and suppliers working with Chanel, and other luxury houses, will host the presentation of Chanel’s latest ready-to-wear collection that, as the label has done since 2002, pays tribute to the know-how of the embroiderers, feather artisans, jewellers, shoe-makers, pleated fabric makers, milliners and glove-makers who work daily to make Chanel's creations even more beautiful.

“The 19M building - ‘19’ for the Parisian district where it is located, (…) and for one of Chanel's signature numbers; ‘M’ for [the French initial letter] in the words ‘hands’, ‘fashion’, ‘crafts’, ‘labels’ and ‘factories’ - is a link between Paris, the long-established capital of fashion, and a lively district within the city, and it embodies both fine craftsmanship excellence and Chanel's pioneering commitment to the preservation and development of the fashion industry's historic craft skills,” as Chanel stated in a press release. 

The 19M building extends over 25,500 m2 and was designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti. It is home to 11 specialist artisanal companies, among them Lesage, Montex, Massaro, Lemarié, Maison Michel and Goossens, employing some 600 artisans in total. It will undoubtedly be the focus of global attention, on December 7, on the occasion of the Métiers d'Art show.

“By choosing the 19M (…), Chanel is reaffirming its commitment to celebrating this exceptional artisanal heritage, a cornerstone of the reputation of French fashion and luxury throughout the world,” said Chanel.