The door that opens to Coco’s creation studio on the third floor of 31 rue Cambon in Paris has the words Mademoiselle Privé emblazoned on it.

Through this door, Coco would enter and get lost in what she does best. And for this exhibition, it is an invitation to enter the Chanel universe comprising haute couture, the iconic Chanel N°5 and high jewellery.

The Mademoiselle Privé exhibition is spread out over 6,000 square metres and is based on three addresses in Paris that are key to the brand. There’s 31 (rue Cambon) which holds the Creation Studio and the haute couture ateliers, while number five—or N°5—opens up to a space that celebrates the iconic perfume. Finally, door number 18 references the fine jewellery store in Place Vendôme, and it’s simply brilliant.

See also: Chanel's Latest High Jewellery Collection Celebrates The Camellia

No other perfume has been as groundbreaking as Chanel N°5, which made its debut in 1921. Created by Ernest Beaux and Coco in Grasse, a town on the French Riviera, it defied convention from its very conception: breaking the rules of single floral fragrance to include a bouquet of 80 scents, the first fragrance to use aldehydes to add layers of complexity.

In this room, you will become acquainted with the pure essence of this iconic perfume that has transcended time, trends and generations. 

Immerse yourself in the world of haute couture reinvented by Karl Lagerfeld, a convergence of modernism with a timelessness that is synonymous to the Chanel brand.

Bruno Pavlovsky, the president of fashion at Chanel, said, “Haute couture expresses the best of fashion, it is perfection in terms of design, materials, finishing and pushing boundaries like the 3D suit made without a single stitch using the selective laser sintering technique. This room is my favourite part of the exhibition and I’m sure many would share my sentiment.”

Soak up the seven highlights of Chanel Haute Couture, underlined by concrete, aluminium, wood, neoprene, lace and tweed. Lagerfeld’s work table in the Creation Studio at 31 rue Cambon takes centre stage for fans to pay homage to the late designer and fashion icon. 

See also: Flashback: Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel In Hong Kong Tatler Through The Decades

When it comes to creating inimitable jewellery pieces, Chanel cleverly marries breathtaking aesthetics with functionality, like eliminating fastenings or apparent settings to give the creation a certain fluidity.

Guests can see all pieces from the “Bijoux de Diamants” collection in this treasure trove of dazzling designs and gems.

See also: Chanel's Latest High Jewellery Collection Celebrates The Camellia

Besides the three main “houses”, there’s also a mini exhibition celebrating the creative expressions of the brand for visitors to explore. Year after year, for decades, Chanel puts out the finest collections because of its longstanding relationship with numerous fashion métiers d'art such as embroidery, goldsmithery, pleating and shoe- and hat-making as well as working with feathers, leather, flowers, tweed, lace and silk. 

Coco’s love for Coromandel lacquer screens is also immortalised in this exhibition, in a perfect tribute of her love for Oriental art. In room number 18, three imposingly gorgeous screens christened Lofty Mountain, Early Spring and Garden of Pleasure overlook the “Bijoux de Diamants” collection. The screens were reinterpreted by Chinese artist Wu Guanzhen. 

See also: Emily Lam-Ho Discovers The Coromandel Collection By Chanel

Don’t we all love movies? A large screen has been erected within the exhibition space, which plays the entire gamut of Chanel short movies in the even-handed chapters of the brand’s journey. The films are exceptionally engaging and inspiring, and the narratives will satisfy any fan of the brand while inspiring those less familiar with it.

See also: 5 Fashion Documentaries On Netflix To Watch On A Rainy Day

“If we, as a brand, want to be meaningful in any country, it’s a must to have strong local understanding. In China, we knew the best way to engage with our fans here is through WeChat and the app complements the exhibition for a seamless experience,” explained Bruno of the dedicated WeChat service account and mini-programme under the “Mademoiselle Privé” name.

Visitors can book their tickets and get updates on the exhibition through the app, as well as use it as a guide to the exhibition and scan the on-site QR codes to unlock audio, video and photos to access the universe of Chanel. The “Mademoiselle Privé” Douyin account, on the other hand, allows visitors to interact with stickers and augmented reality experience for the duration of the exhibition.

The Mademoiselle Privé exhibition is on until June 2 at West Bund Art Centre. It has everything you need to know that makes Chanel oh-so-desirable, so be sure to put it on your Shanghai agenda. Find out more at westbundshanghai.com

See also: Life After Karl: Virginie Viard Debuts First Solo Chanel Cruise Collection