"To be irreplaceable, one must always be different" and "A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous" are some of Coco Chanel's (1883–1971) most famous sayings. And if there is one thing the French fashion designer managed to be, it is irreplaceable and different, classy and fabulous – as you will be able to see from 20th of July at the Cascais Cultural Centre (CCC).
The exhibition "Coco Chanel, Beyond Fashion", unique in Portugal, promises to tell the story of Gabrielle Chanel, whom the whole world knows as Coco, through personal photographs, artworks, and clothing items featuring the iconic camellia, which has become the symbol of the Chanel brand, founded over a century ago.
Curated by Maria Toral, who holds a PhD in Fine Arts, the exhibition includes works by some of the artists with whom the designer shared passions and interests in early 20th-century Paris. "Chanel knew how to take advantage of all the sources around her and interacted intensely with the most prominent creators and intellectuals of her time", says the curator, highlighting Coco's importance not only as a fashion designer but also as a patron and muse to contemporary artists, from movements such as Cubism, Dadaism and Surrealism. On display will be pieces by Salvador Dalí (who designed the Chanel No. 5 perfume bottle), sculptures by Apel.les Fenosa, paintings by Tamara de Lempicka, Óscar Domínguez, and Josep María Sert, as well as lithographs and etchings by Pablo Picasso.
"Coco Chanel, Beyond Fashion", open for visiting until 3rd of November, also features images by renowned photographers such as André Kertesz, Man Ray, and François Kollar, including portraits of the French designer and scenes from her legendary apartment at the Ritz Hotel in Paris.
In the section on fashion of the era, there are references to names like Elsa Schiaparelli and Madeleine Vionnet. However, what will shine the most on the first floor of the CCC are the clothing items from Maison CHANEL, such as the classic two-tone flat shoes, chain-strap bags, dresses, suits, and tweed skirt-and-jacket ensembles, which are synonymous with Chanel.
"Coco Chanel, beyond fashion", Cascais Cultural Centre, Av. Rei Humberto II de Itália, Cascais. 20 Jul-3 Nov, Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00. 5€
+ New Espace Cannelle fills Cascais Marina with colour and luxury