Chanel at Grand Palais — Chanel Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear (2020)

The Grand Palais hosted Chanel’s Spring-Summer 2021 ready-to-wear show, with a large CHANEL letter sign as the finale backdrop.

The venue

Grand Palais is a historic exhibition hall and monument in central Paris, built with a large glass-and-steel nave and adjoining galleries. It is normally used for exhibitions, fairs, cultural events and fashion presentations, and its scale allows temporary structures to be installed inside. The building sits on the city’s right bank near the Champs-Élysées, with public access through monumental entrances.

How the space was used

For the Chanel Spring-Summer 2021 ready-to-wear show, the hall was converted into a presentation setting for the collection. A large “CHANEL” letter sign, described as inspired by Hollywood, formed the backdrop for the finale. The show opened with looks presented in the space and closed with the designer’s bow, with the collection filmed and photographed inside the venue.

Why it works here

The Grand Palais suits fashion launches because its large interior can hold built sets and staged presentations while remaining a central Paris venue with existing cultural associations. Its enclosed halls give brands control over lighting and sightlines, and the building’s architecture provides a recognisable backdrop for press images.