Chanel Métiers d'Art show in Manchester: What we know amid hopes David Beckham and Kylie Jenner will attend

Manchester is set to become the epicentre of the fashion world this week as heritage brand Chanel prepares to host one of its most high profile events of the year in the Northern Quarter.

Anyone passing through the area or scrolling through social media in the past couple of weeks will have seen the giant canopy that has been erected over Thomas Street in preparation for the event, but most other details have remained closely-guarded secrets since the show was announced in July. 

With hundreds of VIPs and celebrities expected to descend on the city in the next few days, here’s what we know about the Chanel show, including why Manchester was chosen and what this means for the city. 

Where and when is the Chanel show taking place?

The show will take place on Thursday 7 December around Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter. Work began on preparing the Northern Quarter for the glamorous event around two weeks ago. The street, which has remained pedestrianised since the pandemic, is home to a number of popular bars, such as Cain and Grain, Fierce Bar, Terrace and Smithfield Social.

Another iconic Manchester location also seems to be involved. The Manchester Evening News reported last week that Victoria Baths would be hosting an afterparty after equipment was spotted around the venue. The Grade II listed former swimming pool, with its original Victorian features like glazed tiles and stained glass, has been used for a whole host of arts events over the years, including film sets. It will then host a new exhibition all about Manchester’s creative history for this weekend only.

What is the Métiers d'Art show?

The annual show will feature the latest Métiers d'Art collection, which is a celebration of the fashion house’s specialist and artisan partners, including master jewellers, embroiderers, shoemakers, milliners and more.

Previous editions of the show have been hosted in exotic locations around the world, including global fashion centres like New York and Tokyo. As with most shows by heritage and high end fashion shows, the production design, theme and overall spectacle of the event are just as important as the clothes on display. In Shanghai, it was held on a pontoon in the Huangpu River. In Paris, models walked amid giant banquet tables. In Dallas, it took place in a rodeo-themed arena.

Why has Manchester been chosen by Chanel?

A day before big fashion show, Chanel posted some more details about how Manchester will feature in the prestigious event. The heritage fashion house posted two reels on Instagram including a line about Manchester’s role in the inspiration behind the event.

It reads: “Creative dialogue is at the heart of every CHANEL Métiers d’art collection. It lies within the work between Artistic Director of the Fashion collections Virginie Viard, the ateliers at rue Cambon, the Maisons d’art at 𝘭𝘦19M, and connects artists and friends of the House, cities and cultures, season after season. CHANEL has chosen to present the 2023/24 Métiers d’art show 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.”

Eagled-eyed Mancunians will recognise some of the places and people in the Manchester montage.

How will the Métiers d'Art show affect Manchester?

With one of the most popular streets in the Northern Quarter out of action for weeks during the busiest time of year, one of the biggest questions surrounding the event is how this will affect the local businesses. The MEN reported last week that one bar had been paid £47,000 for the disturbance and that businesses in the area have had to sign NDAs. The Guardian also referenced a tweet from a Northern Quarter resident who had been sent a letter by the organisers which said they were aiming to ‘minimise any inconvenience to local residents'.

Elsewhere in the city, it seems the Chanel show has brought in a lot of business for the luxury hotels and restaurants. Manchester’s night time economy tsar and Warehouse Project boss Sacha Lord tweeted: “Not only will Manchester be globally showcased this week, but the knock on effect on the night time economy will be significant. Most hotels booked out and many restaurants at max capacity already, creating many extra hours for staff.”

There are also a lot of road closures in the area on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Which celebrities will be in Manchester for the Chanel show?

Like most details, the invite-only guest list has been kept a secret. Around 600 VIP guests, including influencers and leading fashion media, are expected to be at the event, as well as celebrities with a special connection to Manchester – which could include the likes of Oldham-born model Agyness Deyn or former Manchester United icon David Beckham and his wife Victoria.

Many people on social media have speculated that actor Timothée Chalamet, who is the new face of Bleu de Chanel, could be on the guest list as he is currently in the UK promoting his new film Wonka. He is also dating model and socialite Kylie Jenner, another famous face fans are hoping will make an appearance. 

How to watch the Métiers d'Art show

It’s unlikely that members of the public will have any access to the event as it’s taking place, however Chanel have announced that a film of the event will be streamed  the day after on Friday 8 December at 9am.