Chanel Goes to Dakar For 2022 Métiers D'Art Show

As the first step in a continuing conversation with Chanel and Senegal, the French Maison held its 2022 Métiers d'art fashion show at the former Palais de Justice in Dakar. Alongside the show, Chanel commissioned filmmaker Ladj Ly and students from the Kourtrajmé school (a leading institute for aspiring directors and writers) in Montfermeil and Dakar, to make a documentary series about the show.

Capturing the collection's process from its early stages in the Chanel Creation Studio in Paris to its debut in Dakar, the four-video series not only gives the audience a look at the design process but also details the burgeoning relationship between Chanel and Dakar.

"The idea of this project is to build a bridge between the school in Montfermeil and the one in Dakar. It's a very real exchange. Kourtrajmé's motto has always been total freedom. We explained the project to the students, gave them a vision, and then they suggested things with their own artistic identity all while remaining faithful to the world of Chanel.”

While fashion has a history of reaping the benefits of exotic locales before making a swift return home, Chanel's newfound interest in the city, a hub for fashion, art, literature, music, film, and more, will go hand-in-hand with "concrete actions in terms of creative dialogue, transmission of know-how and sustainable development," said Chanel in a press release. First on that list of actions is supporting the restoration of the former Palais de Justice.

Next year, Chanel also plans to host creative exchanges at the Institut Fondamentel d'Afrique Noire (IFAN) with local talents that the public can attend and enjoy. In addition, the Maison has stated its intention to "co-developing and supporting several entrepreneurial initiatives with Senegalese organizations and experts."