Coco Chanel: the Life of a Fashion Icon


Playhouse, QPAC

Playhouse, QPAC

#A rags-to-riches tale of glamour, turbulence, and blazing ambition.


Trailblazer. Icon. A force to be reckoned with. Renowned French designer Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel lived a life of light and dark, glamour and controversy, but always as she alone intended. Amidst the glitz and dynamism of Jazz Age Paris, the firebrand businesswoman redefined the world of fashion and created stylish clothing for a new generation of modern women who were ambitious, intelligent, and rebellious. Her iconic little black dress and bouclé jackets and skirts are now classic style staples seen all over the world. More than a century later, her legacy continues.  

Acclaimed Belgian-Colombian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa delves into the creativity, triumph, immorality, and dark opportunism of Chanel’s complex life from orphan to fashion legend in this full-length narrative ballet steeped in realism and beauty. Featuring an original score by Peter Salem, elegant sets and costumes by the award-winning Jerome Kaplan, and artistic collaboration by Nancy Meckler, this evocative ballet explores one woman’s elusive rise to the top at any cost. 


A co-production of Queensland Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet and Atlanta Ballet, first performed in Hong Kong, China, on 24 March 2023.  

Please note: This production is recommended for audiences aged 15+. The Nazi swastika symbol is used in the production for artistic purposes only. 

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Price

Pricing based on midweek, A Reserve tickets.


Tickets from
Adult$123
Concession$105
30 years & under$99
Child$62
Group 6+$105

Fees

A transaction fee of $5 applies per transaction.

Ticket fees may apply at checkout, as per venue Terms and Conditions.

Venue
PLAYHOUSE
QPAC

Russell Street
South Brisbane
QLD 4101


Accessibility
Auslan Interpreted Q&A

Duration

Approximately two hours, including one 20-minute interval.

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  • Q&A
  • Auslan
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Annabelle Lopez Ochoa

Annabelle Lopez Ochoa

Choreographer

Nancy Meckler

Artistic Collaborator

Luis Torres

Stager

Peter Salem

Composer

Jérôme Kaplan

Costume and Set Designer

Mark A. Zappone

Costume Assistant to the Designer

Jon Buswell

Jon Buswell

Revival Lighting Designer

Roy Cheung

Sound Designer

Nigel Gaynor

Nigel Gaynor

Conductor

Camerata - Queensland's Chamber Orchestra

Live Music Partner


Queensland Ballet acknowledges the complicated legacy of Coco Chanel, particularly her affiliations with Nazi Germany during World War II.

To learn more about the events and stories of the Holocaust and the devastating effects of antisemitism, we encourage audiences to visit The Queensland Holocaust Museum, located in the Brisbane CBD, or to explore its excellent interactive virtual museum. We offer our heartfelt thanks to the Museum for sharing these important resources with us and our patrons.

Queensland Holocaust Museum

Program

A complimentary printed program is available at the performance. We encourage you to please take one between two. You can also download a program here.

Cast sheets

Find out which dancers will be performing before you attend. Cast sheets are subject to changes, but updated daily.

Plan your visit

Everything you need to know about the QPAC Playhouse before you visit. Make sure you're prepared so you know where to eat, park, and how to get there.

Post-performance Q&A

Saturday 5 October 2024 - 1.30pm

Auslan interpreted post-performance Q&A panel discussion with creatives and dancers.

Group bookings

QPAC offer concessions for school and adult group bookings via the QPAC website. To make an enquiry click the link below, or contact the QPAC team on (07) 3840 7466 or at groups@qpac.com.au.

#Who was Coco Chanel?

Creative and fiercely independent, French fashion designer Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential figures in fashion history.


Growing up in poverty as one of six children, Chanel's early life was marked by adversity. Following her mother's death, she was sent to an orphanage with her sister where she learned the art of sewing, sparking a lifelong passion for design.

At the age of 19, Chanel left, working as a seamstress and occasional café singer where her magnetic presence captivated audiences. In 1910, she opened a hat boutique called Chanel Modes, however it was her innovative use of jersey knit fabric that revolutionised women’s fashion, paving the way for her iconic clothing designs that continue to be celebrated for their simplicity and comfort.

After boutique openings in 1912, 1915, and 1918, she introduced Chanel No. 5 in 1921, a perfume that would become legendary and a cornerstone of her legacy. The same period saw the launch of Chanel’s iconic little black dress – an elegant, ready-to-wear staple. Despite the outbreak of World War II, her business flourished until the Nazi occupation of France forced closure of the shop.

During the war years, Chanel’s romantic association with a German diplomat led to allegations of collaborations, however she was never formally charged. After the war, she retreated to Switzerland briefly before returning to Paris in the early 1950s determined to revive her fashion empire.

In 1954, Chanel debuted a triumphant post-war collection, which included the timeless Chanel suit – a collarless jacket and skirt in tweed, adorned with braid trim. It was hugely popular in the United States, and cemented her place as a visionary in the fashion world.

Coco Chanel's legacy endures as a pioneer of modern fashion, known for her innovative designs that liberated women from the constraints of traditional clothing. Her influence continues to shape the industry, embodying a spirit of elegance, independence, and timeless style that transcends generations. Chanel passed away on January 10, 1971 at the Ritz in Paris, leaving behind a legacy that remains synonymous with luxury, sophistication, and enduring chic.

#Backstage

Coco Chanel comes to Brisbane

Season 2024 ·

Coco Chanel comes to Brisbane

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and perform. Long before we performed on this land, it played host to the dance expression of our First Peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders — past, present and emerging — and acknowledge the valuable contribution they have made and continue to make to the cultural landscape of this country.

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