Chanel's Galerie du 19M Exhibition Launches in Shanghai

Chanel is expanding its cultural strategy by bringing the Galerie du 19M exhibition to Shanghai, scheduled from September 25 to November 15, 2026, at the Museum of Art in Pudong. This initiative represents an international extension of le19M, a platform established in 2021 that unites eleven art houses and over 700 artisans, focusing on preserving and transmitting fashion and decorative craftsmanship. The exhibition will occupy the entire third floor of the museum, offering an immersive experience that highlights the core values of Métiers d'art, such as technical excellence and experimentation. According to Chanel president Bruno Pavlovsky, the goal is to position savoir-faire as a universal language that transcends geographical and disciplinary boundaries. A key component is a collective showcase featuring Chinese and French artists and artisans, many of whom already collaborate with le19M's art houses. The curatorial committee includes figures like Gong Yan, director of the Power Station of Art, artist Lin Tianmiao, designer Zhang Lei, and Christelle Kocher, artistic director of Maison Lemarié and Atelier Lognon. Additionally, the project includes a retrospective marking the centenary of Maison Lesage, a historic embroidery and weaving house, presenting a living archive from 1924 to the present. The programming is complemented by talks, workshops, and educational activities aimed at fostering public engagement and transforming the exhibition into a participatory experience. This move underscores Chanel's broader cultural positioning, shifting focus from fashion objects to the creative processes behind them, and reflects a redefinition of luxury as an ecosystem of skills and narratives.