Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto - Victoria & Albert Museum, London

#Shorts Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto ran from 16 September 2023 to 10 March 2024 at the V&A in London. It was SUPER crowded for a Thursday lunchtime and was popular through its run.
Unfortunately, I didn’t vibe with this show liked I had hoped to - it did feel more like a merchandising showcase for the brand rather than storytelling and curation.
Having said that, there were some good moments including the final room which was my favourite. I loved the staircase and referencing 31 Rue Cambon which has seen so many iconic images taken there. This is what I thought the entire exhibition would be.
It shows how difficult it is for blockbuster shows to strike the balance between art and commerce - for me, Savage Beauty by Alexander McQueen will remain the gold standard which I measure shows like this against. I am glad I got to see it for myself though.
If you saw the show, what did you think of it? #short