Chanel has announced a new partnership with the Grand Palais in Paris, a historical monument that has been closely associated with the French fashion house for over a decade – and has been the site of many of its shows. The house will contribute €25 million (about £22 million) towards the restoration and renovation of the site.
Built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900, the Grand Palais remains one of Europe's most beautiful buildings and was made a historic monument in the year 2000. The renovation of the property is due to begin in December 2020 and will last for four years.
Since 2005, the Grand Palais has been the setting for some of Chanel's most impressive couture and ready-to-wear shows. Just last season, it was transformed into a rainforest complete with cliff edges and a flowing waterfall. It has also been turned into an airport terminal, a brasserie, a supermarket and even had a replica of the Eiffel Tower erected in it.
'For Chanel, the Grand Palais is much more than a simple monument in the heart of Paris," Bruno Palovslky, fashion president of Chanel said. "Its remarkable architecture makes it a true source of inspiration and creation for Karl Lagerfeld.'
