A major new exhibition on Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel, named Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto, is set to open at London's V&A Museum - and it's already broken records.

The showcase, which is the first UK exhibition to be dedicated entirely to the designer, has already largely sold out in pre-sales until the end of the year, breaking box office records at the V&A.

french fashion designer coco chanel 1883 1971 wearing a design of her own creation poses in a garden on the rue du faubourg saint honore, paris, france, 30th may 1929 chanel owned an apartment on the rue du faubourg saint honore photo by sashaevening standardhulton archivegetty images
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The landmark exhibition is of the same name as the one that was showcased at Paris' Palais Galliera in 2020, but features 100 more artefacts.

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Showcasing over 200 looks, Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto, which features 54 of the label's iconic tweed skirt suits, takes visitors on a journey that begins with Chanel’s first millinery boutique in Paris in 1910 and ends with her final show in 1971.

london, united kingdom september 12, 2023 a staff member walks past a multi level colourful arrangement of classic chanel tweed suits during a photocall for the upcoming exhibition gabrielle chanel fashion manifesto 16 september 2023 25 february 2024 at the va in london, united kingdom on september 12, 2023 the uks first major exhibition dedicated to the work of the pioneering french couturiere, gabrielle coco chanel, will showcase over 200 looks seen together for the first time, as well as accessories, perfumes, and jewellery photo credit should read wiktor szymanowiczfuture publishing via getty images
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The exhibition also showcases new - and strong - evidence that Chanel collaborated with the Germans in occupied Paris, including transcripts of postwar interrogation of three Nazi officials who all separately name her as a trusted source.

french fashion designer coco chanel 1883 1971 in the french seaside resort of biarritz, circa 1928 photo by fpghulton archivegetty images
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The opening of Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto also coincides with the brand’s growing presence in the UK. It recently transferred its global headquarters to London and is showcasing its next Métiers d’Art collection in Manchester in early December.

Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto is open at the V&A Museum, 16 September 2023 – 25 February 2024.

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Naomi May
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Naomi May is a seasoned culture journalist and editor with over ten years’ worth of experience in shaping stories and building digital communities. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard, where she worked across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Digital Editor at ELLE Magazine and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others. Naomi is also the host of the ELLE Collective book club.