On December 3rd, the renowned West Lake (Lake Xihu) in Hangzhou, China, will serve as the backdrop for CHANEL‘s 2024/2025 Métiers d’art collection. With the city’s rich silk manufacturing and trade heritage, it is a fitting location to showcase the anticipated collection—especially through a short film directed by Wim Wenders.

Hangzhou is a hub of creativity and craftsmanship. Its timeless landscapes and serene lakes have long inspired poets and artists alike. Today, these enchanting vistas serve as the backdrop for Wim Wenders’ new film, starring Xin Zhilei, Tilda Swinton, and Leah Dou.

The film pays tribute to the connection between West Lake and CHANEL’s founder, Gabrielle Chanel. From her Parisian residence, Gabrielle Chanel gazed daily at images of West Lake captured delicately on a Chinese lacquer screen. This screen was one of twenty Coromandel pieces she meticulously collected over her lifetime, dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries. 

The screen depicting Hangzhou was the largest in her collection and held a special place in the founder’s heart. It adorned her private office at her iconic home on Rue Cambon, a cornerstone of the brand’s history. This particular antique became Wim Wender’s starting point for the film and acted as a window into the brand’s world.  

Although Gabrielle never visited China herself, the images on her screens and the visions they sparked profoundly influenced her visual language. Even elements of Chinese culture began to appear in her creations throughout the 1950s and 1960s. 

“I spent some time in Mademoiselle Chanel’s office and studied her Coromandel screen. It made a huge impression on me. Somehow, it was like a very early movie screen or giant comic strip that featured lots of little stories,” says Wenders. “Wherever you looked, there was another scene of daily life.”

The film explores this artistic connection and illustrates the power of images and inspiration to transcend reality. A celebration of both literal and imagined journeys, it explores the vitality and connections that arise when cultures engage in meaningful dialogue.  

“Hangzhou embodies a deep cultural heritage while embracing a spirit of modern innovation, a vision that aligns with Gabrielle Chanel’s pioneering ideals,” says Zhilei. “This is a film brimming with poetry, filled with charm and exploration, much like the feeling the city of Hangzhou gives me.”

Images courtesy of CHANEL.

CHANEL’s Métiers d’art 2024/2025 collection will be unveiled in Hangzhou on December 3.