Thu Sep 26 14:01:00 UTC 2024: ## Chanel Continues Coco’s Legacy of Supporting Artists: A New Era of Patronage
**Lisbon, Portugal -** Chanel, the iconic fashion house founded by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, is continuing the brand’s long-standing tradition of supporting avant-garde artists and fostering creative expression. A new exhibition, “Coco Chanel: Beyond Fashion,” at the Centro Cultural de Cascais near Lisbon, explores the deep connections Chanel forged with artists like Igor Stravinsky, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dalí, who inspired her designs and benefited from her financial support.
The brand’s commitment to the arts is now being spearheaded by Yana Peel, Chanel’s first global head of arts and culture, who launched the Chanel Culture Fund in 2021. Peel, a former CEO of the Serpentine Galleries in London, believes in “long-term, transformational” projects, working with curators, museums, and institutions to provide artists with the resources they need to flourish.
The fund’s initiatives have spanned the globe, including partnerships with the Power Station of Art in Shanghai, M+ in Hong Kong, and the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul. Closer to home, Chanel has formed multi-year partnerships with the Centre Pompidou in Paris, London’s National Portrait Gallery, and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, supporting initiatives to increase representation of women artists and curators.
One of Peel’s most visible projects is “The Window,” a 24-hour public installation showcasing innovative digital art commissioned by Chanel. The Window graces the facade of the Time & Life building in London’s Mayfair, showcasing the work of artists like Jakob Kudsk Steensen, Petra Cortright, and Lu Yang.
Chanel is also making a significant return to the Venice Biennale, supporting multimedia artist Julien Creuzet, the first person of Caribbean descent to represent France at the prestigious event.
Through the Chanel Next Prize, which awards €100,000 to ten international artists every two years, the brand further underscores its commitment to supporting emerging talent. The prize reflects Coco Chanel’s belief in staying ahead of the curve and championing the future of art.
Chanel’s approach to supporting the arts is a deliberate strategy that focuses on long-term, impactful collaborations rather than fleeting sponsorships. As Peel explains, “The brand is strong,” and its commitment to art reflects its inherent values and enduring legacy.
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