CHANEL Connects

Amanda Harlech, creative consultant, writer, and long-time collaborator of John Galliano and Karl Lagerfeld, connects with Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. The conversation was led by Tim Blanks, Editor-at-Large at The Business of Fashion. They talk about the changing context of fashion, unearthing forgotten stories and perspectives from fashion history, and much more.

Actress Keira Knightley connects with Lulu Wang, writer and director of the critically-acclaimed movie “The Farewell”. The conversation was led by producer and writer Diane Solway. They talk about growing up on screwball comedies, the need for strong women on both sides of the camera, second chances, testing moments, and much more.

Actress Tilda Swinton connects with her long-time friend and collaborator Edward Enninful, Editor in Chief of British Vogue and European editorial director of Vogue's European editions. The conversation was led by Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery. They talk about the evolving culture of celebrity, making work that stands for something, acting as a form of portraiture, and much more.

Music producer, entrepreneur and fashion designer Pharrell Williams connects with Es Devlin, the artist and stage designer best known for her work with Beyoncé, Kanye West and The Weeknd. The conversation was led by CHANEL's Global Head of Arts and Culture, Yana Peel. They talk about how technology is changing us, the need to elevate Black entrepreneurs, how creative expression evolves across generations, and much more.

Artist Arthur Jafa, winner of the Golden Lion at the 2019 Venice Biennale, connects with painter - and winner of the 2020 Rome Prize - Jennifer Packer. The conversation was led by Hans Ulrich Obrist, curator and Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries in London. They talk about what makes a work of art successful, the social, political and historical ways their work can be viewed, public and private mourning, and much more.

Choreographer Akram Khan connects with Tamara Rojo, the Artistic Director of English National Ballet and a lead principal dancer. The conversation was led by James Whiteside, principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, who is also a choreographer, recording artist and drag queen. They talk about pushing the boundaries of dance through unexpected collaborations, how recent events may lead to new innovations in performance, contemplating a life after dance, and much more.

Garrett Bradley's documentary “Time” and Eliza Hittman's drama “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” both debuted in 2020 to huge critical acclaim during a time of great upheaval in the film world. The two innovative directors connect in a conversation led by Rajendra Roy, the Chief Film Curator at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. They talk about their drive to tell political stories in innovative ways, how everyday women navigate systems stacked against them, and much more.

Architect Sir David Adjaye, whose groundbreaking projects include the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC connects with Anifa Mvuemba, the fashion designer and founder behind women's clothing line, Hanifa. The conversation was led by critic and curator Aric Chen. They talk about the innovation that can spring from plans gone awry, the creative explosion that could occur through the building of a more just world, and reimagining museums for the continent of Africa.

Artist Kennedy Yanko makes visceral abstract sculptures from paint skin and scrap metal. In 2021, she was an artist in resident at the Rubell museum in Miami, where she presented her latest exhibition, White Passing, a reference to her biracial heritage. Kennedy connects with DJ and producer, Honey Dijon known for her high energy sets, fusing classic disco with techno and house. In this episode, Diane Solway, Head of Arts & Culture Programs at CHANEL, moderates a conversation between both as they discuss how they got started in their creative industries, community, collective energy, and the craziest nights they've ever had.

Actor Maisie Williams is best known for her portrayal of Arya Stark in the television series Game of Thrones, which earned her two Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Maisie connects with the musician Grimes whose daring, category-defying work blends pop, electronica, and the avant-garde. She describes her latest album, Book 1, as her “greatest work” to date. Both have a keen interest in technology and the way it can be harnessed to support the arts. In this episode, Yana Peel, Global Head of Arts and Culture at CHANEL, moderates a conversation between both as they discuss The Metaverse, and whether the future of performance is virtual.

Dancer David Hallberg was once described by the New Yorker as the most exciting male dancer in the Western world and worked his way up through the American ballet theatre to become the first American principal dancer at the Bolshoi ballet in Moscow. David connects with dancer and actor Lil Buck. Buck specializes in an altogether different kind of dance, Jookin, which originates in Buck's hometown of Memphis. In this episode, Yana Peel, Global Head of Arts & Culture at CHANEL, moderates a conversation between both as they explore transforming dance, who inspired them both to pursue careers in dancing, what makes Jookin so innovative and unique, and find out if anyone can learn how to dance.

Artist Anicka Li expands the boundaries of art with work that explores biology, technology, and the merging of the two. Anicka connects with pioneering artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah whose latest film was described by critics as “the most haunting, wrenching new work of art I've seen so far this decade…”. In this episode, Diane Solway, Head of Arts and Culture Programs at CHANEL, moderates a conversation between both artists as they explore if we are more than human, how artists can contribute to important societal issues, the meaning behind John's film Five Murmurations, major disasters when preparing exhibitions, and what TV shows they binged watched during the pandemic.

Artist Kehinde Wiley's portraits have been compared to a long line of past masters including Reynolds, Gainsborough and Titian. In 2017 he became the first Black artist to paint an official portrait of a President of the United States when he was commissioned to paint Barack Obama. Kehinde connects with the photographer and activist Misan Harriman, whose photographs of the Black Lives Matter movement are some of the most iconic and shared images of the digital age. In this episode, Yana Peel, Global Head of Arts & Culture at CHANEL, moderates a conversation between both as they discuss everything from painting presidents to photographing royals, myth making and the people who have transformed their lives and careers.

Filmmaker, writer, and actor Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman, Killing Eve) connects with novelist Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, Sharp Objects) to ask: Why do women have to be good? And what happens when they aren't? In this episode, moderated by Diane Solway, Head of Arts and Culture Programmes at Chanel, they talk about the comedy in tragedy, new kinds of -anti-heroines, the female characters they long to write, and how they “keep the crazy” of their work from colouring their own lives.

어떻게 한국 문화가 세계적으로 뻗어 나가는 현상이 되었을까? 'K-Pop의 왕'으로 불리며 여러 매체를 넘나드는 뮤지션 지드래곤과 설국열차부터 기생충까지 뛰어난 상상력과 생생한 연출력을 인정받은 촬영 감독 홍경표가 함께합니다. 그들의 영감, 창조의 과정, 그리고 한국 문화의 커져가는 영향에 탐구합니다. 음악가, 모델, 샤넬 하우스 앰버서더 수주가 둘을 심도 깊은 대화 속으로 안내합니다.

Dans cet épisode de CHANEL Connects, les réalisatrices Maimouna Doucouré et Audrey Diwan se rencontrent pour la première fois pour échanger sur l'importance de la collaboration dans le processus créatif, leurs expériences avec de jeunes talents du cinéma et la dimension politique de leur travail. Maimouna Doucouré est lauréate du prestigieux Academy Gold Fellowship Award pour son film « Mignonnes ». Audrey Diwan a notamment été récompensée par un Lion d'Or à la Mostra de Venise en 2021 pour son film « L'événement ». Elle a plus récemment réalisé le film « Emmanuelle » présenté à Cannes cette année et mettant en scène l'actrice Léa Seydoux.

How has Korean culture become a global phenomenon? Musician G-Dragon, known as the “King of K-pop” and an artist across multiple mediums, connects with renowned cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo, whose vision and dynamic camerawork have animated films from Snowpiercer to Parasite. Together, they explore their inspirations, creative processes, and the growing impact of Korean culture. This conversation is moderated by musician, model and House ambassador Soo Joo Park.

Welcome to the third season of Chanel CONNECTS.In this series, we bring together global change makers from the worlds of food, film, art, architecture and beyond. Some are old friends and collaborators, others are meeting for the first time. All are focused on what matters most, and what happens next. And now, we get to listen in.

Kelsey Lu is a classically trained musician whose work is defined by otherworldly electro-classical sound, and by collaborations with artists including Solange and Blood Orange. Yinka Ilori is known for creating bold, colourful designs informed by his British-Nigerian heritage, often focused on accessibility and inclusion. Challenging us to think in new ways, Yinka and Kelsey Lu discuss the influence of the natural world on their respective practices, and the immersive power of music and art. They begin their conversation by exploring how joy feeds their creativity.

This episode features two audacious talents shaking up the film industry - in front of, and behind the camera. Savanah Leaf came to film as a former Olympic volleyball player and her debut feature, Earth Mama, recently premiered at Sundance Film Festival to widespread acclaim. Margaret Qualley has already worked with some of the best directors in cinema, from Claire Denis and Quentin Tarantino to Yorgos Lanthimos and Ethan Coen. The multi-hyphenate duo sit down in New York for a conversation about their journeys so far.

Rachel Rose is known for her intricate video installations which investigate our changing understanding of the world - from labour in 17th-century England, to explorations of outer space. In this episode she connects with fellow artist Aria Dean, who uses film and sculpture to produce meditations on Blackness and artistic theory. Their conversation digs deep into the contemporary art world: their multidisciplinary practices - including film, sculpture, and installation, the use of memes as critique, and how the weight of history inspires them.

Two good friends are working at the intersection of art and architecture from very different angles. Award-winning architect Frida Escobedo is currently renovating the contemporary wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. José Esparza Chong Cuy, Chief Curator of Storefront for Art and Architecture in New York, is changing public engagement with both disciplines. The two of them discuss the magic of Lina Bo Bardi, the connections between art and architecture, and how Mexico has influenced both of their work.

In this episode we bring together a cinematic legend and a rising star: the Academy Award-winning actor Penélope Cruz, whose performances in independent film and Hollywood blockbusters have been captivating audiences for more than three decades. She connects with Carla Simón, a director who has introduced Catalan cinema to new, global audiences by drawing on her rural upbringing. The duo connects in Madrid for the first time and discuss politics, parenthood, and the bravery of taking the space to breathe.

In this episode, food visionaries unite: Ruthie Rogers, the legendary chef behind The River Café in London, talks to Jon Gray, Co-Founder of the Bronx-based collective Ghetto Gastro. They discuss their recent cookbooks which challenge accepted conventions - from photography and recipe instructions, to the availability and distribution of fresh ingredients. Both are committed to community and are champions of collaboration, focused on the intersection of culture and food, their legacies, and the power of partnership.

Artist Amy Sillman is renowned for her oil paintings that defy categorisation. She has been at the helm of a new wave of artists - most of them women - who over the last decade have reinvigorated abstraction. Amy connects with celebrated writer Sheila Heti, whose books, including Pure Colour (2022) and Motherhood (2018), blur the lines between fiction and memoir, creating new and original ways to understand lived experience: motherhood, art, and mortality. In this episode, they discuss how they each embrace ambiguity with purpose.

What is the nature of authentic creativity in a world of artificial intelligence? In this episode, artist Sarah Meyohas, whose practice explores the technologies that are transforming society, speaks to Albert Read, the managing director of Condé Nast Britain and author of The Imagination Muscle. His brilliant book is a guide to honing our human skills of creation in a complex and increasingly automated world. Together, they discuss originality, authorship, and the enduring power of the artist.

Barry Jenkins and Isaac Julien are two giants of filmmaking, whose creative sensibilities have much in common. Both have produced work that has profoundly shaped contemporary culture: Jenkins's 2016 Academy Award-winning film Moonlight is a sensitive portrayal of Black masculinity, while Julien has been at the forefront of Black British filmmaking for over three decades. In this episode, we bring them together for the very first time, in London, for a conversation about portraying vulnerability, the art of adapting literary texts, and the influence of beauty, music, and memory on their work.

Tras grabar "Filmed with Love", Penélope Cruz, ganadora de un premio Óscar, y la directora Carla Simón continúan su conversación en español, tratando temas como la maternidad, el equilibrio entre realidad y ficción, y la importancia de la observación humana.

Welcome to Season 4 of CHANEL Connects.This series takes you to the Venice Biennale—the essential cultural event of 2024— where leading artists, curators, gallerists, and thinkers join CHANEL's flagship arts and culture podcast. Through a series of generous and revealing conversations, each episode explores the defining issues of our time. Listen in now, and let's connect!

For the Venice Biennale Edition of CHANEL's flagship arts and culture podcast, Andrew Durbin, author and Editor-in-Chief of Frieze magazine, connects with Kimberly Drew, author, critic and Curatorial Director at Pace Gallery. Kimberly has developed a huge online following for the way she uses emerging platforms to communicate about art. And, as the editor of Frieze, Andrew is one of the most influential writers on art in the world. Together, they discuss the evolution of art in the digital age and explore how the Venice Biennale came to be the centrepiece of the global art community.