British Culture Archive collaborated with Chanel for the 2023/24 Métiers d’Art show in Manchester – a landmark event that brought one of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses to the North of England for the very first time. The Métiers d’Art collection, created each year to celebrate the craftsmanship of Chanel’s specialist ateliers, is one of the most anticipated dates in the global fashion calendar. Choosing Manchester was a bold acknowledgement of the city’s impact on music, style, and culture – a recognition of the creative energy that continues to shape its global identity.

As part of the O! Peste Destroyed launch, BCA curated a pop-up exhibition exploring Manchester’s 80s and 90s club and rave scenes, showcasing photography that captured the spirit of the era. The event drew Chanel’s international guests and ambassadors, with Kristen Stewart, Tilda Swinton, Hugh Grant, and Amanda Stenberg among those in attendance. Legendary Salford poet John Cooper Clarke performed live, his words celebrating the cultural DNA of a city where art, music, and fashion have always been important.