Hilary Tsui reflects on Chanel’s Métiers d’art show, a magical night that unfolded at Hangzhou’s West Lake

Hong Kong fashion entrepreneur Hilary Tsui is hardly unfamiliar with Hangzhou. As a fashion expert with a keen eye for aesthetic innovation, she has long followed the city’s flourishing design scene. This time, Tsui returned to witness Chanel’s annual Métiers d’art show, set against the backdrop of this historic city this year.

Steeped in culture and poetry, Hangzhou has already left a lasting impression on Chanel’s history. This is exemplified by an antique Coromandel lacquered screen, depicting Hangzhou’s West Lake, which once adorned Gabrielle Chanel’s Paris apartment. This artistic connection became the catalyst for the Métiers d’art collection 2024/25, drawing the fashion world to this poetic city.

For over two decades, the Métiers d’art collections have celebrated the house’s commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, choosing locations that hold cultural significance. From Paris to Rome, and from Shanghai to Tokyo, each city has brought its unique heritage to these collections, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of Chanel’s specialised ateliers at le19M.

Hilary Tsui in Hangzhou (Photography: John Gregory | Makeup: Jenny Shih | Hair: Lupus Chui )

Fresh from this year’s show in Hangzhou, Tsui sits down with Tatler to talk about the spectacular experience—from the masterful blend of Asian elements with Chanel’s codes to the sublime venue of Impression West Lake, and the couture pieces themselves that resonated with her style sensibilities.

Having attended numerous Chanel shows throughout your career, what made this Hangzhou presentation distinctly different from previous collections?Hangzhou embodies the coexistence of tradition and modernity, where ancient craftsmanship harmoniously blends with contemporary innovation. The Métiers d’Art collection mirrors the essence of Hangzhou, a city where tradition and creativity merge seamlessly.

Hilary Tsui in Hangzhou (Photography: John Gregory | Makeup: Jenny Shih | Hair: Lupus Chui )

The show location at Impression West Lake holds deep cultural significance. How did the setting enhance your experience of the collection compared to traditional runway venues?The show took place as the evening fell, with wooden runways built just above the lake’s surface creating this cool effect where the models looked like they were walking on water. The whole nighttime setting added something special to the collection—you could see the water reflecting everything, and the way they lit it up as it got darker made the whole thing feel magical but not overdone.

Hilary Tsui in Hangzhou (Photography: John Gregory | Makeup: Jenny Shih | Hair: Lupus Chui )

Which pieces from the collection resonated most with your personal style, and how do you envision incorporating them into Hong Kong’s dynamic fashion scene?This French-Chinese fusion style would blend seamlessly in any corner of Hong Kong such as the backdrop of Victoria Harbour’s night skyline… It represents fashion’s fresh interpretation of traditional culture. The collection’s standout pieces include a striking black ensemble adorned with white birds and floral motifs that echo traditional Chinese ink paintings while maintaining Chanel’s signature tailoring and precise trim work.

⁠What was your favourite moment from the show, from the venue setup to the after-party?The most mesmerising moment was when the natural fog rolled in across West Lake, creating this ethereal, dream-like atmosphere that transported us into a Chinese painting. The way the models emerged through the mist in such a graceful line was breathtaking. I found myself deeply moved by how nature transformed the show into something truly magical.

Chanel 2024/25 Métiers d’art show in Hangzhou

The Métiers d’Art collection celebrates exceptional craftsmanship. Did you notice any parallel between the French savoir-faire and traditional Chinese artisanal techniques in the design?What struck me most was how Chanel masterfully wove together French and Chinese artisanal heritage. The collection beautifully demonstrated how two distinct artistic traditions, French savoir-faire and Chinese craftsmanship, can harmoniously complement each other, much like how Hangzhou itself balances its ancient soul with contemporary innovation.

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