Chanel remains true to its love and support for cinema and institutions related to the seventh art, both in the making of new works and in the restoration of classic films. The Venice International Film Festival reaches its 80th anniversary in 2023, hosted as per tradition at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Venice Lido. On the occasion of the latter, Chanel is dedicating an event dinner, at which great faces close to the Maison will be present. An exclusive and intimate atmosphere, designed ad hoc to welcome friends and personalities who have been part, in their own way, of the brand’s history. The iconic Harry’s Bar Cipriani, which has become a meeting place for writers, painters, artists of all kinds, aristocrats and royalty, is celebrating with Chanel a grand tribute to cinema.
“Going into my premier and having a beautiful Haute Couture dress made by Virginie (Viard) gives me confidence.
I remember Gabrielle Chanel saying a part of the clothes is to give confidence, and I know that when you’re in a CHANEL dress, you feel invincible.”
Sofia Coppola presents the film Priscilla in competition, with support from Chanel, which made the wedding dress worn by Cailee Spaeny in the soon-to-be-iconic scene of her wedding to Elvis, played by Jacob Elordi. The feature film is heavily inspired by the personality of Priscilla Presley, her timeless style and contemporary appeal. The film, premiering Sept. 4th, chronicles through Priscilla’s eyes one of the greatest myths in America’s artistic history, the long courtship and turbulent marriage of Elvis and Priscilla. “To me CHANEL is a House based on strong women; there are a lot of women that work there, it was founded by Gabrielle CHANEL, and so it makes sense they support a lot of women artists. Priscilla’s strength is really something that struck me because it must have taken her a lot of courage at that time, in the 70’s, to leave this world and her whole identity as Mrs. Elvis Presley to find her own way”, says Coppola.
“The most difficult thing about writing the script was reworking the many incredible details contained in Priscilla’s Elvis & Me memoir. I was interested in trying to imagine what it must have been like to grow up in that world through her eyes.”
Chanel’s involvement with the Film Festival carries on the careful dialogue demonstrated toward art by the fashion house, which began in the 1920s and has remained an enduring element in the artistic and stylistic choices of the creative directors who have succeeded Coco Chanel. The first encounter with the city came precisely as an inspiration, thanks to the magnificence of the Italian city and its great activity in terms of social gatherings. In recent years there have been several films associated with the brand, just as there have been just as many celebrities who have chosen to become ambassadors of Chanel’s sophisticated and inimitable class. Virginie Viard, present in Venice for the occasion, reiterates the will and desire to continue to choose faces and stories that can represent within the world of cinema the brand of which she is creative director. The creations are made not only for the red carpets or scheduled events, but also and especially for the film shoots themselves, becoming, just like directors and actors active protagonists in these days of major events.
