Chanel fashion shows at the Grand Palais are back

After four years of major renovation work, the Grand Palais in Paris is ready to once again welcome the world of fashion and all it has to offer. And this reopening will be a grand affair: next October, Chanel will mark its grand return to this iconic venue with a ready-to-wear show, which will coincide with the building's official reopening after the Olympic Games. The house of Chanel and the Grand Palais have a long history of collaboration, punctuated by spectacular shows that have redefined the art of fashion spectacles. In fact, since 2005, Chanel has constantly transformed the Grand Palais' nave into a theater of unparalleled creativity, especially thanks to Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel's former artistic director, who repeatedly orchestrated memorable sets, such as a replica of the Eiffel Tower, a giant supermarket, and even a massive reproduction of the Verdon Gorge. According to Bruno Pavlovsky, president of fashion at Chanel, “Karl Lagerfeld was passionate about the architecture of the Grand Palais. He was inspired by historical photographs for his set designs”. These now-iconic shows not only showcased Chanel’s creativity but also solidified the Grand Palais as the go-to venue for grandiose performances.

Built for the 1900 World’s Fair, the building has recently undergone a massive renovation, often compared to the work on Notre-Dame. These works were of unprecedented scale: the building was completely repainted, the glass roofs restored, and the infrastructure modernized. Didier Fusillier, president of the Grand Palais, describes this reopening as a rebirth: “The Grand Palais was a central monument of the capital; with this Olympic summer, it has become an icon”. The Olympic Games were indeed an opportunity for the venue to reinvent itself, offering the world a breathtaking and unprecedented view of its vast dimensions, larger than those of the Palace of Versailles, with a height of 43 meters and an area exceeding 775,000 square feet, which impresses with its grandeur and versatility.

Chanel's return to the Grand Palais also comes with a new financial commitment. In 2018, the brand had already invested 25 million euros to support the renovation of the building, the largest sponsorship ever made for a public institution in Paris, apart from Notre-Dame. Today, it continues this support with an additional contribution of 30 million euros, spread over five years. An investment aimed at supporting the cultural and artistic programming of the Grand Palais, thus reinforcing its role as a central cultural hub in Paris. Pavlovsky emphasized the importance of this partnership as part of Chanel’s vision for supporting culture. Indeed, “Chanel has always been and will remain a patron of culture. Our investments are tied to creation, whether in our collections or in our cultural partnerships”. The luxury house is not simply seeking to promote its brand but to contribute to the vitality of Paris.

With this sponsorship, the Grand Palais is set to unveil a rich and diverse cultural program. The upcoming season will include major events such as Paris Art Basel, the exhibition of Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota, and a massive ice rink under the glass roof for the holiday season. This programming will highlight not only renowned art exhibitions but also popular events accessible to a wide audience. For the first time in the history of the Grand Palais, part of the space will be opened free of charge to the public. This initiative will allow more than 4,000 square meters, located between the nave and the Palais de la Découverte, to be accessible without charge, thus giving a new dimension to the Grand Palais' commitment to cultural inclusion. “We want the Grand Palais to become a place where everyone can feel welcome, whether for fashion shows or cultural events,” says Fusillier. “This partnership embodies the spirit of renewal and tradition that defines both Chanel and the Grand Palais”.