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Few occasions in fashion hold the quiet prestige and cultural resonance of Chanel Métiers d’Art. Conceived as an annual tribute to the exceptional craftsmanship behind the house’s creations, it remains one of the most anticipated showcases in the luxury calendar – a seamless blend of artistry, heritage, and couture-level refinement presented in some of the world’s most inspiring cities. The 2025/26 edition will unfold in New York, a city rich with Chanel history and creative energy.
The Legacy of Métiers d’Art
Established by Karl Lagerfeld in 2002, Chanel Métiers d’Art was created to honour the specialist ateliers that preserve the essence of haute couture. These workshops – including Lesage, Lemarié, Goossens, and Massaro – were gathered under Chanel’s Paraffection subsidiary to ensure their savoir-faire endures. Now under Matthieu Blazy’s creative direction, the tradition continues, balancing the house’s timeless codes with the artisans’ extraordinary skill.
Each collection represents a dialogue between designer and craftsman – every feather, pleat, and embroidered motif a testament to heritage and vision. Sitting elegantly between haute couture and ready-to-wear, Métiers d’Art embodies the rarefied craftsmanship and ease that define modern Chanel.
Craftsmanship at Its Finest
At the heart of Métiers d’Art lies the artistry of Chanel’s maison d’art, where centuries-old techniques evolve with contemporary imagination. Lesage’s intricate embroidery, Lemarié’s sculpted camellias, and Goossens’ gilded jewellery lend distinct character to each piece, often requiring hundreds of hours of work. These details form the foundation of the Métiers d’Art spirit – garments and accessories that feel personal, tactile, and timeless.
Beyond the aesthetic, this annual celebration safeguards tradition. Chanel’s continued investment in its ateliers ensures that craftsmanship – whether pleating, featherwork, or goldsmithing – remains at the heart of luxury. For collectors, a Métiers d’Art piece is more than fashion; it is a piece of history rendered wearable.
A Travelling Celebration and the Return to New York
Each year, Métiers d’Art finds a new stage. From Edinburgh and Salzburg to Dakar, Manchester, and Tokyo, the show’s itinerant nature reflects Chanel’s dialogue with art and culture worldwide. For 2025/26, the house returns to New York – a city deeply woven into its story.
Gabrielle Chanel first visited New York in 1931, drawn by the city’s energy and modernism. The house last presented Métiers d’Art there in 2018 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The 2025/26 edition, announced for December, marks a symbolic homecoming – a renewed meeting between Chanel’s Parisian craftsmanship and New York’s creative dynamism.
The Collection: Heritage in a Modern Light
While the full collection remains under wraps, the spirit of New York is expected to infuse the designs with bold architectural lines, luminous embellishments, and a play on movement and light. Tweed, pearls, and camellias – Chanel’s enduring signatures – will likely find new expression against an urban backdrop.
Each Métiers d’Art collection merges the soul of its host city with the Maison’s legacy, resulting in garments that transcend seasons. In New York, that dialogue promises to feel particularly alive – the poise of French craftsmanship meeting the pulse of American modernity.
The Experience: Inside Chanel’s World
Attendance at Métiers d’Art is strictly by invitation, extended to ambassadors, muses, collectors, and a select circle of editors and clients. The evening unfolds with the discretion and glamour that define Chanel: a meticulously staged show, an intimate audience, and often a private dinner or exhibition to honour the artisans’ work.
For guests, it is an experience of rare immersion; witnessing fashion at its most exacting and human. The atmosphere feels cinematic yet deeply personal, and every detail, from the set design to the final bow, reinforces the Maison’s devotion to artistry.
Where to Stay and Dine
In New York, the luxury of the experience extends well beyond the runway. For an elegant base, The Peninsula New York offers Fifth Avenue refinement with a rooftop bar ideal for pre-show views of the city skyline. The Plaza Hotel, a Chanel-appropriate classic, remains a landmark of old-world opulence. At the same time, Aman New York provides a sanctuary of serenity with Japanese-inspired design and private spa suites – a perfect retreat after the evening’s spectacle.
For dining, Le Bernardin continues to define modern French fine dining, while Eleven Madison Park offers a plant-based tasting menu that mirrors the artistry and restraint of haute couture. For something more intimate, The Grill in the Seagram Building delivers mid-century glamour with exceptional precision in service.
Why Métiers d’Art Matters
Within the world of luxury, Chanel Métiers d’Art stands as a beacon of continuity – proof that craftsmanship remains the truest expression of style. Each year’s collection reaffirms the Maison’s commitment to preserving artistry in a fast-paced world, ensuring that the traditions of the ateliers endure.
In New York, the show will once again remind the world that true luxury lies not only in the finished garment but in the mastery behind it – in the invisible stitches, the heritage hands, and the timeless pursuit of beauty that defines Chanel.
