Chanel in context – From head to toe:
The language and iconography of Chanel

Take a journey into Chanel’s extraordinary world with Chanel in Context, a three-part series exploring the design, innovation, legacy and influence of Gabrielle Chanel.

In this session, NGV curators and guest panelists discuss how Chanel’s early brand and identity creation was so radical at the time, the role this played in its success, and the key elements that became synonymous with the style and language of Chanel.

Host

Katie Somerville
Senior Curator, Fashion & Textiles, NGV

Speakers

Christine Barro
Christine Barro is the internationally recognised, locally lauded doyenne of luxury fashion retail in Melbourne who spring-boarded a buying career at the legendary department store Georges into a namesake emporium that sources and celebrates the world’s most exemplary and extraordinary designs. She launched the Chanel Boutique in the early 80’s prior to their stand alone store in Sydney. Also introduced Fendi and Prada to Melbourne when Milan was but a blip on the fashion radar, and innovated with experiential retail long before the term was coined. It’s why the likes of Melbourne-born, Paris-based designer Martin Grant entrust their collections to her exacting eye and exclusive sell.

Karen Webster
Karen Webster is the Dean and Principal of LCI Melbourne, part of one of the world’s largest networks of design institutes with 24 campuses across the globe. Karen has been a key player, design advocate and leading academic in Australian’s creative industries over the past 40 years, including senior positions at RMIT University, Buzz Products, and Festival Director of the Melbourne Fashion Festival from 2005-2010. She has served on numerous government and industry advisory boards including Chair of the Australian Fashion Council and was the first female Board Director of the Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia. In 2012 Karen was inducted into the Fashion Hall of Fame.