Chanel Conjures ‘Coco’ with Literary, Crafty Moments in Manchester – WWD

WORKING HANDS: The Victoria Baths in Manchester, an architectural gem adorned with colorful Art Nouveau tiles and stained glass, was alive with the spirit of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel on Friday as guests from the Metiers d’Art show immersed themselves in her universe of art and craft. 

Guests gathered at the Baths for a discussion about the challenges facing women writers, and an exhibition of art, design and photography. There was also an interactive display inviting Chanel guests to pick up their needles, sew and embellish fabrics with help from the various craft teams at the brand. 

Who knew that so many Chanel clients could wield those needles with such skill? Or sit quietly at a worktable picking out images of the Manchester skyline with hundreds of tiny beads and sequins?

As luxury experiences go, it was unconventional one, but very much in keeping with the spirit of the house’s founder, who was famous for wearing ropes of pearls — and scissors hanging from a ribbon around her neck.

In a nearby room, a lively talk called “The Power of Literature” was taking place with Manchester native and award-winning writer Jeannette Winterson; actress Kristen Stewart, and Charlotte Casiraghi, a Chanel ambassador. 

The talk tapped into Coco Chanel’s past as a voracious reader and friend of writers including Jean Cocteau, Colette and Paul Morand.

Stewart talked about directing her first film, “The Chronology of Water,” which is based on the memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch, while Winterson praised the power of language.

Winterson recalled her love of poems, novels and the spoken word as a child growing up in a strict, religious home.

She told the audience that, when she was a teenager, her mother burned the stacks of books she had hidden under her bed. She describes that episode in her novel “Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit,” an extract of which Casiraghi read to the audience.

Winterson said she relied on words, stories she’d memorized, and the power of her own imagination to overcome her traumatic childhood. “Language can sustain us, and take us forward into all sorts of places. Words are my flying carpet,” she said.