Go inside Chanel's new London exhibition
Chanel's new Mademoiselle Prive exhibition is fashion's version of Jim Henson's Labyrinth; an alternate immersive world where you forget where you are and one that constantly surprises with beautifully designed sets - the Chanel version of Alice in Wonderland.
The showcase, which takes over the entire of London's Saatchi Gallery, is pretty huge in scale, taking you on a journey through founder Coco Chanel's career right up to the current day. The journey starts before even entering the building, with a winding garden filled with British autumnal flowers designed by Chelsea Flower Show winners Harry and David Rich.
A mock-up of Coco Chanel's office door
Inside the space is divided up into sets that bring the Chanel story to life. There is the original hat shop where Chanel's career in fashion began; the totem room which celebrates the label's signatures - from pearls to the camellia flower; a maze with Chanel C-shaped hedges which smells of the most beautiful of gardens; a factory-like room about the conception of Chanel No5, with bubbling vats and filled with the scent its most powerful ingredients; and a space starring a giant rotating birdcage, with a giant sparkling piece of couture jewellery inside. Another highlight came by way of a room mocked to look like an atelier, where visitors walk among swathes of couture fabric, which hang from the ceiling.
The Chanel maze
Upstairs, it's about clothes and diamonds - Coco Chanel's first ever jewellery collection is displayed for the first time, both on mannequins and on a series of photographs, taken by Karl Lagerfeld, of the label's famed muses, each wearing shimmering diamonds. Next door is dedicated to couture, each piece lit by light sabers - a nod to Chanel's ability to showcase beauty in a modern, relevant context. A short film looks at what might happen if Chanel and Lagerfeld were ever to meet - a funny, witty addition to the display.
A replica of the Rue Cambon Chanel staircase
London has played to two noteworthy fashion exhibitions over the last few months - the wildly popular Alexander Mc Queen: Savage Beauty at the V&A and Louis Vuitton's newly openedSeries 3 showcase. Although only open for three weeks, Chanel's Mademoiselle Prive is a must for anyone interested in beauty and luxury. It's engaging, surprising and brimming with ideas. An app is available for free for any fashion die-hards who want more background information.
If Alice were to fall down this slightly trippy Chanel rabbit hole, we doubt she'd ever want the dream to ever end.
Mademoiselle Prive opens from 10am - 6pm seven days a week until November 1 and admission is free.
