Chanel <3 China

Chanel <3 China

Diana Bartlett gives us an exclusive travel diary from her trip to Hangzhou, China for the Chanel Métiers d'art Show.

Postcards
Postcards

by Olivia Ghantous

 

This week, Chanel unveiled its latest Métiers d'Art collection at Hangzou’s magnificent West Lake. The location captured the essence of Gabrielle Chanel’s admiration for the Chinese Coromandel screens that adorned the walls of her Paris apartment. Inspired by the vibrant floral motifs and colors of the lacquered screens, the collection featured delicate embroidery in jade, pink, and blue. While Coco never visited Hangzhou, she was captivated by the lake’s beauty and drew much inspiration it. A century later, the 2025 Métiers d'Art show brought this etheral dreamscape to life, blending French craftsmanship with Chinese heritage in an unforgettable setting.

To get a glimpse into Chanel’s take on China, we enlisted, Photographer Diana Bartlett to document her trip to Hangzhou and Métiers d'Art experience. From local style inspo to acupuncture (accompanied by a flap bag) to the stunning details of the Métiers collection shimmering across the West Lake runway, Diana captured her trip in every intimate detail.

Here's a look through her travel diary:

"CCTV"
 
"I sucked the honey out of a tea leaf flower, it was honestly good"
 
"Post Welcome Cocktail, night one"
  
"Orange is the new black" 
  
"Couldn't help but do all my Christmas shopping. I bought an entire carry on worth of ceramic teapots, worth it!"
  
"Caffeinated and ready for the show"
 
"Walking on water, glistening in silk"
 
"The show began with a boat ride across the West Lake, a pianist playing Erik Satie floated on water at the entrance of the space. As night-fell, Liu Wen graced the runway gliding on her very own reflection as it seems she was born to do."
 
"It’s giving Devon Aoki"
   
"All black everything"
  
"A truly memorable experience and my favorite Chanel show to date!"
 
"911 what’s your emergency?"
 
"Pulse check, acupuncture check, Chinese herbal medicine prescription from the oldest pharmacy in Hangzhou check check check"
 
"You can't sit with us"
   
"XXX"
 
 
 
 
 
 December 2024