Gabrielle Chanel is the Newest Nave at the Grand Palais
Originating from Biarritz, France, luxury brand CHANEL continues to support their French roots. CHANEL has been a patron of the Grand Palais Museum in Paris, France since 2018. Renewing their contract for five additional years, CHANEL has now become the official Major Patron of the Grand Palais.
Courtesy of CHANEL Press Room
The Grand Palais des Champs-Elysees is an exhibition museum built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. It was dedicated “by the French Republic to the glory of French art,” also housing the Rmn-GP monument. In the 8th arrondissement, the museum is located between the Champs-Elysees and the Seine.
Courtesy of CHANEL Press Room
The alliance between the Grand Palais and Chanel dates back to 2005 when the Nave – the glass symbol of the Grand Palais – was the backdrop of CHANEL fashion shows. The Nave curated a creative extension of Gabrielle Chanel’s lion, a supermarket rendition, and the CHANEL jacket. The installations further captured global attention, leading all eyes to be on CHANEL.
President of CHANEL Fashion, Bruno Pavlovsky touches on the significance of the Grand Palais: “The Grand Palais is this incredible machine that creates dreams. For us, it’s one of the places that embody the House of Chanel, in the same way as the Rue Cambon or the Place Vendôme. We’re proud to continue our commitment to this important cultural player in the capital. The transformation of the Grand Palais will have a major impact on the influence of Paris and France. Like the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais will span the centuries."
Courtesy of CHANEL Press Room
Now, the Grand Palais is undergoing renovation via the Grand Palais RMN’s artistic and cultural program that will run from 2024-2028. They will be restoring the Grand Palais to its original design when it was first revealed to the public. CHANEL has advocated for the program, investing thirty million euros to showcase their support.
The construction of the Grand Palais will “embrace the fine arts, contemporary art, festivities, and live entertainment,” states Didier Fusilier, the President of the Grand Palais RMN.
He further states how “Grand Palais is getting ready to unveil its former splendor, thanks to a restoration project led by thousands of ‘compagnons’ [specialised artisans] and highly skilled construction workers.” “Beneath its reseda-green metal framework and walls painted a delicate cream white, the Grand Palais, now adapted to today's challenges of conservancy and operation, is getting ready to start a new chapter in its history. We’re delighted that CHANEL is accompanying this artistic movement, in line with its investment in the restoration of the building.”
Courtesy of CHANEL Press Room
Emmanuel Macron, the French President, paid a visit to the ongoing renovated Grand Palais. As he entered the Nave, he renamed it “Gabrielle Chanel” to pay homage to the founder of the House of CHANEL.
Courtesy of CHANEL Press Room
CHANEL will make their avant-garde comeback to the Grand Palais with a new collection, the Spring/Summer 2025 Ready-to-Wear fashion show. The show will take place in October 2024, before new art fairs and exhibitions happen at the end of 2024, and the general public will be welcome back to the Grand Palais in June 2025. We are ecstatic to see the new renditions of the Grand Palais.
Courtesy of CHANEL Press Room
Article by Anna Yim, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Jung Chou, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine