CHANEL will host a special exhibition, "la Galerie du 19M Tokyo," at Tokyo City View and Mori Arts Center Gallery on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower in Tokyo. This exhibition is presented by le19M, a unique complex founded by CHANEL in Paris in 2021 that brings together approximately 700 passionate artisans and experts in fashion and interior design.

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le19M is a creative space whose aim is to preserve the Métiers d'Art in fashion and interior design. It marks the culmination of Chanel's efforts in the 1980s to preserve the savoir-faire of exceptional artisans. The name refers to the building's location in Paris's 19th arrondissement, as well as Gabrielle Chanel's birthday, 19. It also derives from the initial M of "Mode," "Mains," "Maison," "Manufactures," and "Métiers d'Art." As of 2021, le 19M will house 11 Maisons d'Art (Atelier Montex, Studio MTX, Deleuze, Goossens, Lemarie, Longnon, Lesage, Lesage Interieur, Maison Michel, Massaro, and Paloma) and an École Lesage (embroidery school), five of which have been recognized by the French government as "Enterprises of Intangible Cultural Heritage (EPV)." Today, the center forms a unique community of approximately 700 artisans and experts representing 29 Métiers d'Arts certified by INMA (French Institute of Savoir-Faire). Their exceptional skills support the creative activities of leading fashion houses such as Chanel, interior design firms, and young creatives. Designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti, the approximately 25,000m2 building provides the perfect environment for the artisans' creativity, innovation, and the passing on of their skills. The comfortable workspace caters to a variety of needs, from creative activities and development to archive management and customer service, fostering unprecedented synergies between the various arts.

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The upcoming "la Galerie du 19M Tokyo" in Roppongi, Tokyo, marks a new milestone in the history of CHANEL and Japan. Since the time of Gabrielle Chanel, Japanese aesthetics have permeated many of CHANEL's collections. The Maison has paid homage to Japan through various groundbreaking events, including the first fashion show held in Tokyo in 1978 and the first overseas Métiers d'Art collection show, which was held at CHANEL Ginza in 2004. Comprised of three chapters - "le Festival," "Beyond Our Horizons," and "Lesage: A Century of Embroidery and Textiles" - the exhibition will allow visitors of all ages to experience the richness of Japanese and French traditions and their contemporary interpretation of modernity.


le Festival
A unique installation showcasing the exceptional and unique craftsmanship of le19M Maison d'Art has been created by renowned architect Tsuyoshi Tane and his firm Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects (ATTA). The immersive installation, entitled "le Festival," celebrates the joyful, enriching, and ever-evolving spirit of boundless creativity. The work is a vivid manifesto that reflects the expertise of le19M Maison d'Art and expresses the richness and diversity of craftsmanship in general. Visitors are taken on a journey that begins with raw materials, tools and samples and gradually unfolds into a near-finished masterpiece. A poetic ode to the artistry of creation, it highlights the meticulous attention to detail and meticulous skill that artisans put into every step of the process, each touch reflecting the exuberance and joy that has been passed down through generations.

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Beyond Our Horizons
This immersive exhibition brings together works by around 30 artisans and artists from Japan and France, some of which are in collaboration with le19M's Maison d'Art. The exhibition is curated by Momoko Ando, Yoichi Nishio, Shinichiro Ogata, Kayo Tokuda, and Asuka Yamashita. The exhibition takes place in the Creative Village, a space not defined by walls or maps, but shaped by the intersection of materials and memory, tradition and reinterpretation, physical movement and imagination. Disparate materials such as glass and thread, earth and light, meet and fuse in unexpected ways, each piece gently offering a moment of pause and a gateway to new discovery.

The spatial design draws inspiration from natural elements such as wind, water, fire, and earth. These elements are not simply themes; they are felt as vibrant presences throughout the works. The power of nature breathes in the textures, forms, and ambiance of the space, awakening visitors' senses and speaking to them across time. This exhibition will feature works born from natural elements, the accumulation of time, techniques passed down from ancestors, and experimental approaches. All of these works embody a strong will for beauty, creativity, and sharing.

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Lesage: Embroidery and Textiles, a Century-Long Story
This exhibition is an invitation to journey through Lesage's century-long pursuit of excellence and innovation in the world of embroidery and textiles. Founded in 1924, Lesage is now part of le19M and enjoys a close partnership with Chanel. For over a century, Lesage has shaped contemporary design through creative collaborations with some of fashion's most iconic designers. The legacy of three generations of exceptional artisans, each with their own unique talents, has been built by combining craftsmanship with trial and error, the preservation of tradition with a pioneering spirit. In keeping with Chanel's creative legacy, the Lesage workshops have been involved in the creation of collections, interior designs, theatrical costumes and embroidery and textiles for historical buildings.

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