Your First Look at Chanel's 2022/23 Métiers d’Art Collection Unveiled in Dakar, Senegal

Photo: Malick Bodian with Ibrahim Kamara. Courtesy of Chanel

With traveling fashion shows currently having a major moment, Chanel touched down in Dakar, Senegal on December 6 to unveil its latest Métiers d’Art collection in the heart of the former Palais de Justice. It made history, marking the first time the luxury French fashion house has hosted a runway show in West Africa. At the time of the announcement, the brand stated, “By choosing Dakar, the house wishes to make the savoir-faire of its métiers d’art resonate with the artistic and cultural energy of the city.” The Senegal capital is home to a thriving fashion industry, and home to recognized brands including Alicia Keys-loved Adama Paris, helmed by Dakar Fashion Week founder Adama Ndiaye.

Photo: Malick Bodian with Ibrahim Kamara. Courtesy of Chanel

The new Métiers d’Art collection is captured in a series of images shot by Senegalese photographer Malick Bodian and featuring models Alaato Jazyper and Loli Bahia. Captured by the River Seine in Paris, the pieces designed by creative director Virginie Viard and brought to life by the Maisons d’art take center stage. It includes a jacket with floral embroidery by Montex, a Lesage tweed sweatshirt blooming with camellias by flower-maker Lemarié, a skirt with pleating work by Lognon, and more.

“I always knew I wanted to do this kind of photos that reflect the relationship I have with the models,” shares Bodian. “I really like it when people see this in my pictures. I like it how the models are looking into my eyes, at the camera. I think it gives something very real, full of emotions, humanizing the photos. I like to show fashion in the most real way and I think that’s very rare.”