Photo courtesy: Chanel
THE FILM: “Reincarnation”
You have Cara Delevingne’s vocals, breathtaking costumes and the gorgeous Pharrell Williams to keep you entertained during the seven-minute film – created by Karl Lagerfeld as a little teaser for the Chanel’s Métiers d’Art collection catwalk presentation that happened earlier today at the Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, Austria.
The video features a new song written by Pharrell, and yes, Cara sings too… it’s a Pharrell and Cara duet! The name of the track is ‘CC the World’ and @caradelevingne has been busy instagramming pictures from the video shoot – obviously so, with all the excitement about the big reveal.
The film titled Reincarnation retraces the history of the iconic Chanel jacket. Karl Lagerfeld imagines an episode from the life of Gabrielle Chanel. Madame Coco is holidaying in the suburbs of Salzburg in 1954. At her hotel she meets a dashing lift-boy played by Pharrell Williams who wears the jacket which would later inspire the iconic Chanel jacket.
THE ART OF Métiers d’Art
From Bombay to Moscow, Dallas to Dubai….For the past twelve years Karl Lagerfeld has combined the iconic Parisian Chanel style with that of other cities. Chanel is the only fashion house that still creates a completely separate collection dedicated to keeping the Métiers d’Art alive. Desrues, Lemarié, Montex, and Lesage to name a few of Chanel’s ateliers are the most skillful craftsmen, embroidery houses and fabric makers. Each year they come together to create the ultimate in luxury accessories and Ready-to-Wear, leaving no detail spared. Not a single button is duplicated and will never be made twice. The exclusivity and art behind the designs is thoroughly thought out from sketch to sales.
COCO Lives On…
Each year’s collection is inspired by a city that correlates with the house’s history, keeping Coco alive through the clothing reminiscent of events throughout Gabrielle Chanel’s life. In the past we’ve seen elaborate headpieces and deep colors mimicking the cultural Russian fashions; intricate prints that resemble details from the red square of Moscow; pastel tweeds, layered pearls and girly silhouettes for the Versailles collection; vests, fringe, denim, thick wool and cowboy boots for the Dallas inspiration. Golds, metallics and even minaudiere’s shaped as gas cans representing the prevailing style of Dubai.
The show invitation. Photo courtesy: Chanel
THE INSPIRATION: Coco’s Austrian Love Affair
The 2014/2015 Chanel Métiers d’Art collection is inspired by the lavish style of Salzburg, Austria. Austria has a significance for the house of Chanel for many reasons. To begin with, its beautiful scenery from mountains to lakes and architectures captivated Coco. She was particularly intrigued by the jackets worn by hotel bell-men and decided then that she would create these iconic jackets as a part of her brand and what she wanted it to represent. In the 1930s Austria became a place she would frequent after meeting Baron Hubert von Pantz, a fine aristocrat of the country. The two met at a ski station where Coco was charmed by his wit, wealth and character that led to an affair lasting two years. In that time, Baron bought the Schloss (German for “castle”) Mittersill, a gorgeous palace he transformed into an elite hotel that became famous for hosting the most prestigious celebrities and aristocrats before the Nazi invasion of Austria. 
Photo courtesy: www.schloss-leopoldskron.com
Photo courtesy: www.schloss-leopoldskron.com
THE VENUE: Salzberg Austria
The show took place at the Schloss Leopoldskron, originally built in 1736 by Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg Count Leopold Anton Eleutherius von Firmian who commissioned the palace as a family estate. It remained within the family for nearly a century before being sold. The castle has been renovated and restored and is now a luxurious hotel that served as a magnificent venue fitting for the collection.
Staying True to Tradition…
As we’ve seen in years past, Karl Lagerfeld always finds the perfect parallelism between Chanel under the reign of Coco and Chanel under his own reign. This collection is no exception…a combination of her iconic Chanel style staying true to the brand with an Austrian twist. A large portion of the show was dedicated to the “Reincarnation” as Karl calls it, and emphasizes the jackets similar to those worn by the bell boys that especially caught Coco’s eye when in Austria.
Last year I had the distinct pleasure of attending the Paris-Dallas Métiers d’Art and the all the associated Chanel fanfare this exact day one year ago. I so wish I had been in Salzburg today… but I will keep you posted on pictures from the collection as they become available.
Till then, let’s take a stroll down memory lane with our in-depth coverage of the countdown to
Paris-Dallas Metiers d’Art 2013/2014:
Coco’s “Return” to Dallas…
Bopping to Dallas…
Have you done your Chanel homework???
Love Letter from Chanel to Neiman Marcus…
The Coco Legend Continues…
I’ll be dreaming of nothing but bell boy jackets and ostentatious pearls tonight…
Love PurseBop
XO
Post edited Dec 4th:
THE SHOW:
Deep burgundy, military greens and hues of blues graced the runway of the Metiers d’Art collection, along with the classic Chanel combination of black and white. Paris met Salzburg at the rococo palace of Schloss Leopoldskron with iconic Chanel silhouettes infused with Austrian influence. It was a romantic, candle lit night full of, long coats, cropped capes, oversized knitwear, high ruffled necklines and of course tweed, all made up of elaborate bead work and embroidery from the House of Chanel’s fabulous ateliers.
The 2014-2015 collection stayed true to one of Coco’s greatest love, the little black jacket. She first discovered it at her boyfriend, Baron Hubert von Pantz’ hotel, Schloss Mittersill in Austria where she admired the uniform jacket of the bell-men working there. It was then that Gabrielle decided the LBJ would be a huge part of her life and brand. Karl Lagerfeld keeps Coco alive with his “reincarnation” of the jackets we now see intricately detailed with chains, sequins, pearls and complex beading and appliqués.
Photo courtesy: Pixel Formula/Sipa Press/Sipa/Rex
Photo courtesy: Rex Features
Photo courtesy: Gisela Schober/Getty Images
PurseBop’s Wishlist: (wish is the operative word here…)
One embroidered jumbo…(don’t miss the creamy ivory one!)
Perhaps a totally decked out BOY bag?
One bell boy inspired LBJ
that RED coat (reminds of one my mother had, and now my baby sister wears…)
and maybe the ear muffs just for fun, (not really!)
I just know it’s going to be a really long wait till pre-fall…
I’m in LOVE! Reminiscing my own Austrian ‘hand in hand’ strolls through cobble stone streets and alleys wearing my Oilily dress, Gorsuche embroidered coat, floral patterned Doc Martins and fur mittens! I may have just successfully dated myself, LOL
Love PurseBop
XO
Updated: June 20th, 2019
Comments
2 Responses to “Chanel Salzberg Métiers d’Art”
Gabrielle is way too incredible. The more I know about her, the more I respect her and fall in love with Chanel! Transforming a bell boy jacket which nobody paid attention too into an iconic and desired item is amazing! And Karl is the same… He can make even milk cartridge desirable, so I think Chanel couldn’t be better taken care of
Gosh, that is so beautifully written. It drew me in and took me on a trip to another time and place.. Just beautiful!!