The Cascais Cultural Center is currently hosting an extraordinary exhibition, “Coco Chanel: Beyond Fashion,” running through 3November 2024. This event offers a rare glimpse into the life and legacy of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, a name synonymous with revolutionary fashion.
Photo at top by Man Ray (1935)
While Chanel herself never deemed her work as art, she significantly blurred the lines between fashion and art. She maintained a clear distinction between fashion as a craft and the artistic endeavors of her contemporaries, famously stating, “Sewing is a technique, a craft, a business.” Yet, her influence on fashion transcends mere craftsmanship, embedding itself deeply into the artistic and cultural movements of the 20th century.
The exhibition allows visitors to delve into Chanel’s world through personal photographs and works by artists she admired and collaborated with. The early 20th century was a period of artistic upheaval, with movements like Cubism, Dadaism, and Surrealism reshaping all forms of creative expression. Chanel, an astute observer and influencer, drew inspiration from these avant-garde currents, forging deep connections with leading artists and intellectuals of her time.
This exhibit unveils a lesser-known facet of Chanel’s life, highlighting her role not just as a fashion icon but as a pivotal figure in the avant-garde movements. She was a muse, a patron, and a revolutionary, forever altering the landscape of fashion and art. As Chanel once said, “To be irreplaceable, one must always aspire to be different,” a credo she embodied throughout her life and work. Decades after her death, Coco Chanel remains an irreplaceable force in the pantheon of creative legends. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the spirit and legacy of a true visionary at the Cascais Cultural Center.
Learn more at the Cascais Cultural Center website.
Coco Chanel, Beyond Fashion
Cascais Cultural Center
Avenida Rei Humberto II de Itália, 16
Cascais
Phone: +351 214 815 660/5
Email: geral@fdl.pt
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 10:00 to 18:00
Entrance: €5.00 per person, €2.50 for seniors and students
