Coco Chanel is an icon on its own, she is a woman to learn from and a fashion icon to admire. This September the V&A museum will present the first UK exhibition dedicated to the life and work of the one and only Gabrielle Chanel.

Ph. Laura Chouette (Unsplash)

It will showcase her development as a designer and the founding of the House of CHANEL, starting in Paris in 1910 with her first millinery boutique and ending in 1971 with her final collection.

The V&A is preparing to host the UK's first major Coco Chanel exhibition.

Coco Chanel’s Influence On The Fashion World

Coco Chanel’s first priority was to create and design her own wardrobe, garments that will empower her and show her femininity. As a designer, she anticipated modern women's needs and wants by creating clothing that would fit an independent and active lifestyle. What makes her an admirable designer is her innovative approach to fabric, silhouette, and construction and the fact that she redefined women's fashion in the twentieth century. Her designs were something never seen before and considered revolutionary for her time - inspired by menswear at the time and the desire to emphasise comfort over constraints of then-popular fashion. Thanks to her garments women said goodbye to the days of corsets and hello to the new idea of feminine fashion.

Ph. Laura Loveday (Flickr)

Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto

Inspired by the Chanel Manifesto exhibited in Paris at the Palais Galliera in 2020 the exhibition will be re-imagined for the V&A. The date is the 16th of September 2023, just in time for London Fashion Week, when you can first enter the exhibition and admire the great life of the designer. Over 180 looks as well as the designer's signature and most famous jewellery, accessories, cosmetics, and perfumes will be featured. The exhibition explores Chanel’s unique approach to fashion design and how she redefined feminine elegance and keeps influencing the way women dress today. Prepare to see a few emblematic pieces like the famous 1916 marinière, the jersey sailor blouse, and of course the little black dresses.

Suit by Gabrielle Chanel. Worsted wool crepe, silk satin lining. Paris, 1969 - Ph. Victoria & Albert Museum 

If you are a fan of fashion, it is a must for you to experience the Chanel exhibition in London. Save the date in your calendar and get your expectations in tact, for you will dive into the world of an astonishing designer and a woman.

We can all add a little timeless piece of Chanel in our wardrobe and what better way to find yours than to step in the shoes of the great designer and feel the way she felt when revolutionising fashion. The best thing is it’s just in time for London Fashion week so more and more reasons for you to come down to London and give yourself the ultimate fashion experience.