Chanel becomes Exceptional Patron of the Paris Opera’s ambitious renovation

An important new chapter in France’s cultural heritage commences with the help of Parisian style flag-bearer Chanel — right in the latter’s home ground. The maison, which is privately owned by French billionaire-businessmen brothers Alain and Gerard Wertheimer through the holding company Chanel Limited, has just become an Exceptional Patron of the Paris Opera, pledging its support to the landmark renovation project Nouvel Air, Nouvelle Ere.

This ambitious programme, set to begin in 2027, will encompass all four of the Opera’s iconic sites in the City of Lights: Palais Garnier, Opera Bastille, the Dance School in Nanterre, and Ateliers Berthier. Unveiled by French minister of culture Rachida Dati, this initiative is more than just an architectural facelift. It is a renewal of vision, aiming to enhance accessibility, modernise facilities, and secure the Opera’s prestige for generations to come.

For Chanel, whose president of fashion activities Bruno Pavlovsky emphasised the importance of contributing to “the prestige of the Opera and the City of Paris for decades to come”, this partnership represents a natural extension of the house’s longstanding commitment to the arts.

A century-long bond between Chanel and dance

Chanel’s relationship with the world of dance stretches back over a century, to when Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel herself collaborated with Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes, designing costumes that challenged conventions and celebrated freedom of movement. That avant-garde spirit continues to inspire Chanel’s artistic patronage today.

Leading up to this renovation project, the house has already been reaffirming its dedication to the Paris Opera in recent years. Since 2018, it has been the patron of the Dance Season Opening Gala, a glittering highlight of Paris’ cultural calendar. In 2023, Chanel became a Grand Patron of the Opera, further solidifying its role as a guardian of France’s artistic institutions. Its support extends far beyond galas — from funding the launch of the Junior Ballet in 2024 to backing costume design collaborations with both renowned and emerging choreographers.

How Chanel champions the arts beyond fashion

This latest announcement underscores a broader truth: Chanel is as much a cultural institution as it is a fashion house. Beyond its ateliers and boutiques, Chanel has consistently invested in the preservation and advancement of the arts. Its Fondation Chanel supports women in creative fields, while the brand’s global patronage has ranged from art exhibitions to film festivals.

The Opera partnership, however, resonates particularly deeply, bridging the house’s roots in couture and its affinity with dance. By becoming an Exceptional Patron, Chanel is not only providing financial support but also demonstrating its belief in the transformative power of culture. Much like the precision and artistry that go into haute couture, opera and ballet represent a meeting of discipline, creativity, and emotional storytelling — values that Chanel has long embodied.

For those of us who so adore Paris, this partnership between two of France’s greatest cultural icons is definitely something we’re heartened by. And we simply cannot wait to return to take it all in.