Chanel is going to be bringing one of its most prestigious fashion shows to Manchester later this year – which is a sentence you don’t read every day.
Arguably the world’s most famous fashion house has chosen our city to host its Métiers D’Art 2023/2024 show.
Taking place on 7 December, the exact location for Chanel’s Manchester show hasn’t yet been announced – but you can bet people are making some wild guesses already.
Manchester’s famed for a lot of things, from warehouse parties to street food events to huge gigs and festivals. But haute couture? Not so much.
Chanel will actually be the first major luxury house to show in Manchester.
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Previous settings for the Chanel Métiers D’Art fashion show have included a pontoon moored in Shanghai’s Huangpu river to a lavish banquet setting in a Parisian palace.
So wherever they choose in Manchester will need to be large, and dramatic, and representative of our city (the brand chooses cities that are linked to the history of Chanel, and then themes the show around them, so we can probably expect a nod to our cotton trade history).
The Yayoi Kasama exhibition for MIF23Castlefield Viaduct. Credit: NT Images and Paul HarrisAviva Studios and (right) Castlefield Viaduct could be contenders for the Chanel Manchester show
There’s also new spaces like Mayfield Park (though, chilly in December), Castlefield Viaduct (ditto) and New Century Hall.
People have been surprised and also a little baffled by Chanel’s decision to head to Manchester, saying it’s ‘hilarious’ and asking if Anna Wintour will be partying in the local clubs afterwards.
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Local design studio Mikesian Studio shared a few suggestions, ranging from Sacha’s Lord’s penthouse to the site of the demolished Toys ‘R’ Us.
They wrote: “So it looks like @chanelofficial will be hosting their Metiers D’Art show in Manchester this year. How wonderful. And hilarious. Very in keeping with the mood of the city right now. Life imitates D’art. Wonder if they’ll put the homeless in hotels this time?
“They don’t confirm the mysterious location till nearer the time, but with previous catwalks taking place on pontoons and in palaces, it begs the question, where in our humble city could be worthy of such an honour.
“Here is a definitive shortlist of suitable venues. We’re taking bets NOW. (Only joking @factory_international don’t get yr knickers in a twist, we all know it’s u hun).”
Someone else wrote: “OMG. The Chanel Métiers d’art show will take place in Manchester this year. I have visions of a runway down the Corrie cobblestones, flanked by a FROW of WAGs and a LOT of cotton in the collection. Let’s see if I’m proven correct. I could NOT be more excited for this.”
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Another joked: “If it’s a Chanel takeover of the Manchester Warehouse Project, I’m down.”
One person said: “Chanel Métiers d’art show is going to be in Manchester this year- I hope this means I’m going to find Anna Wintour at 5th ave afterwards.”
And someone tweeted: “Manchester has some iconic music too, ngl this is gonna be sick. The north deserves much more attention.”
Watch – Chanel shares incredible video of Manchester’s Northern Quarter transformed into catwalk
Daisy Jackson
Last night was monumental for Manchester, with the world’s most famous fashion house, Chanel, bringing its prestigious Metiers D’art fashion show to the city.
Only a few hundred guests got to see the invite-only spectacle with their own eyes, though it’s been hard to miss the massive behind-the-scenes work that’s gone into the show in the Northern Quarter.
Now, Chanel has released a video of the Manchester show in full, as well as footage of the pre-fashion show dinner at Salford Lad’s Club, with a performance from local legend John Cooper Clarke.
It means that those of us who missed out on an invite to the real thing can watch the beautiful show back at home.
The video, streamed live this morning, shows dozens of models strutting down Thomas Street, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship behind Chanel’s dresses, jackets, bags and more.
The models walked beneath a purpose-built canopy (which we all think should stay forever) past local boozers like the Bay Horse Tavern, Smithfield Social, and Cane & Grain.
There was a star-studded front row, as you’d expect, too.
Kristen Stewart, a Chanel ambassador, and Hugh Grant were two of the big names spotted in and around Manchester over the last two days.
Local famous faces were out in force too, with rappers Aitch and Bugzy Malone both in attendance.
Sofia Coppola, Tilda Swinton and Jenna Coleman were all sitting front row for the beautiful Chanel Metiers d’art show in Manchester.
Fashion royalty Alexa Chung posed in a Chanel outfit, while Oldham-born supermodel Karen Elson walked in the show.
And Liam Gallagher’s sons Gene and Lennon – who are the absolute spit of their dad, eyebrows and all – were also there representing Manchester.
Guests were then whisked away to Victoria Baths for an almighty afterparty.
Chanel said: “The finale – the CHANEL 2023/24 Métiers d’art show took place on an emblematic street 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.
“In a shimmering pop palette, with a dash of the sixties, the collection imagined by Virginie Viard celebrates the CHANEL art of tailoring and tweed, while wraparound skirts, miniskirts with godets and Bermuda shorts highlight the British accents of the silhouettes.”
You can watch the full video of the Chanel catwalk through the Northern Quarter in Manchester below.
Road closures in the Northern Quarter and timings for the Chanel show
Daisy Jackson
In case you’d somehow not noticed, there’s quite a big event happening in the Northern Quarter today – and the Chanel fashion show comes with a fair few road closures.
The scale of the event is huge, and now spreads far beyond the actual catwalk down Thomas Street.
Extra road closures will now be in place to hold the pre-show red carpet, with celebs rumoured to be joining including Timothee Chalamet, the Kardashin-Jenner clan, and Margot Robbie.
There are also several closures relating to security, and The Foundry Project has been transformed into a backstage area for the models who will walk Chanel’s Metiers d’art show.
Celebrities will arrive on Thomas Street before being ushered behind the huge black barriers that have been installed to shield them from view.
Around 480 guests are expected to attend, with the Chanel collection itself actually arriving at 3pm.
The event itself will then take place between 5pm and 8pm, though the actual show will only be 15 minutes long.
Road closures in the Northern Quarter for the Chanel fashion showRoad closures in the Northern Quarter for the Chanel fashion show
The following roads will be closed on Thursday 7 December for the Chanel event in the Northern Quarter.
Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 December: 2pm – 10pm
High Street, between Copperas Street and Nicolas Croft
Soap Street, between High Street and Thomas Street
Salmon Street
Copperas Street, between High Street and Oak Street
Edge Street, between High Street and Oak Street
Back Turner Street, between High Street and John Street
Turner Street, between High Street and John Street
Kelvin Street, between Back Turner Street and Turner Street
John Street, between Turner Street and Thomas Street
Brick Street, between Back Turner Street and Turner Street
Back Thomas Street, between Thomas Street and Back Turner Street
10pm Wednesday 6 December until 3am Thursday 7 December
Copperas Street, between High Street and Oak Street
High Street, between Thomas Street and Copperas Street
10pm Thursday 7 December until 8am Friday 8 December
Copperas Street, between High Street and Oak Street
High Street, between Thomas Street and Copperas Street
Daisy Jackson -
30th July 2023 
