Press Releases
Press Releases
Major Spring Exhibition at The Mint Museum to Focus on Chanel
Show explores history and evolution of designer’s iconic fashions
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (1 March 2011) – The Mint Museum Randolph will present the iconic
haute couture designs of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in the special exhibition Chanel: Designs for
the Modern Woman, on view 21 May – 31 December 2011. Sponsored by U.S Trust, Bank of
America Private Wealth Management, the exhibition will include works that have never before
been on public view.
“The name Chanel is renowned around the globe, and has become synonymous with high
fashion, impeccable construction of the garments, and leadership in design,” said Director of
Fine Arts Charles L. Mo. “Many of the items featured in the exhibition represent milestones in
the collection’s acquisitions history, thanks to several generous donors who contributed to the
growth of our Chanel holdings.”
“At U.S. Trust, we believe art and culture are vital assets to a community’s worth. That’s
why we are proud to sponsor the Chanel collection at the Mint,” said Jesse Cureton, Managing
Director and Regional Executive, North Carolina, U.S. Trust. “For over 200 years, we have not
only seen the benefits of helping clients archive their own philanthropic goals, we’ve seen the
benefit these cultural endeavors can have on families and neighborhoods alike. We are very
proud to be a part of such a unique and special offering to Charlotte.”
Among the major designers who shaped the landscape of women’s fashion in the 20th
century, Coco Chanel (1883-1971) remains a pivotal figure. She pioneered a new look for
women in the early 1900s, creating clothes that were primarily comfortable, yet lasting in both
their construction and style. Replacing the restrictive corset with casual elegance, her fashion
repertoire included simple suits and dresses, women’s trousers, costume jewelry, and perfume.
Chanel: Designs for the Modern Woman will present works dating from the 1920s to the
present day, augmented by a selection of accessories, sketches, and other fashion-related
materials. The exhibition is drawn entirely from the Mint’s Historic Costume & Fashionable
Dress collection, which includes more than 50 designs from the House of Chanel.
Highlights include a sampling of early designs, from a suit that was produced circa 1925-
1929, and is noted to be an ensemble constructed by Coco Chanel herself, to the seminal “little
black dress,” which the designer popularized among women everywhere. Accessories such as
handbags, eyeglasses, shoes, and perfume demonstrate the myriad of designs produced by the
label within its first century of existence.
Born in France, Chanel endured a rocky childhood and first learned to sew in an orphanage
during her teens. It was during a brief stint as a singer in cafés and concert halls that she
adopted the name Coco. With the help of a wealthy male companion, Chanel launched her first
business venture – a millinery shop – in Paris in 1910, followed by boutiques in Deauville and
Biarritz. During the 1920s, she became the first designer to use knit jersey (an inexpensive
material traditionally used for men’s underwear) to construct women’s clothing, creating
relaxed, menswear-inspired garments that rejected the stiff, corseted look of the time. Her
innovative, uncluttered designs led her to become one of the premier fashion designers in Paris.
In 1925, Chanel introduced her now legendary suit, featuring a collarless jacket and fitted
skirt. She matched its success the following year with her little black dress, both of which
continue to be staples in every Chanel collection. In 1926, American Vogue compared Chanel’s
little black dress to the Ford automobile, alluding to its popularity as a fashion basic. The
designer helped pioneer the floating evening scarf, as well as the practice of wearing faux and
real jewels together. She used colorful, feminine, printed chiffons in her daywear designs, while
evening ensembles incorporated tulle, lace, and decorative elements that softened the overall
look of the garment.
Coco Chanel worked until her death in 1971 at the age of 88. Her fashions and accessories –
including her iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume – earned her a place on Time Magazine’s 100 most
influential people of the 20th century.
Chanel: Designs for the Modern Woman is made possible with generous support from U.S.
Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management. Media sponsor: Our State Magazine. For
more information, visit mintmuseum.org.
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About The Mint Museum:
The Mint Museum is a unique gathering place for people to experience art through significant and varied collections, engaging
exhibitions, and innovative educational programs. Established in 1936 as the first art museum in North Carolina, the Mint
Museum Randolph is housed in what was the first branch of the United States Mint and exhibits collections of art of the ancient
Americas, ceramics, and historic costume, among others. The Mint Museum Uptown houses the internationally-renowned Mint
Museum of Craft + Design, as well as American and contemporary art and select works from the European art collection. The
Mint Museum is funded, in part, with operating support from the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Inc.; the
North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources; the City of Charlotte; and its members.