A free fashion exhibition showcasing hundreds of Chanel pieces at a stunning Paris auction house

Paris once again celebrates fashion with a free exhibition: from February 16 to 18, 2026, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr showcases the wardrobe of a style icon. This curated collection features exclusively Chanel pieces from 1995 to 2023. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore 367 items — including dresses, coats, cashmere, jewelry, and accessories — designed by Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard, displayed to the public ahead of their auction.

Mark your calendars, get ready, and prepare to be dazzled. Before the items go under the hammer, Chanel: A Private Collection is on display in the elegant Haussmann-style setting of Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, a distinguished auction house nestled in the heart of the 8th arrondissement of Paris. From Monday, February 16 to Wednesday, February 18, 2026, visitors can explore a free exhibition prior to the auction: three days to journey through, piece by piece, a wardrobe of an elegant, carefully assembled between 1995 and 2023. The final verdict will be delivered on February 19, 2026, during a dedicated auction devoted entirely to the Chanel universe.

Une exposition mode gratuite de centaines de pièces Chanel dans une sublime maison de ventes à Paris — Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr

Across mannequins and within shop windows, 367 carefully curated pieces arranged by season, style, and color. This extraordinary wardrobe offers a glimpse into the history of a house founded in 1910 by Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, showcased here through the designs of Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard. Included are: 130 jackets, dresses, and coats, 70 cashmere pieces, and 80 costume jewelry items, not to mention Première Mini watches, Ultra rings, handbags, ballet flats, and sandals. This fashion exhibition is like strolling through an ideal wardrobe—blending couture excellence with timeless elegance.

Among the lots to be examined before bidding, a long black tweed coat from the 2005 Cruise collection, signed by Karl Lagerfeld and adorned with a gold CC crest, immediately catches the eye. Nearby, a zip-up jacket in black, white, and silver lurex tweed (Fall-Winter 2014), a long Paris Byzance blazer (Métiers d’Art 2011), a blue and pink sequin jacket (Cruise 2013), and a short multicolored tweed coat (Cruise 2023) also stand out.

Accessories such as necklaces, brooches, and jewelry featuring faux pearls, champagne-colored metal, and glass paste, from 1996 to 2012, adorn the selection. An exclusive pre-sale exhibition offers a glimpse into the Chanel style: a visual deep dive that invites viewers to observe and appreciate in detail before raising their hand to ask questions.

A free fashion exhibition showcasing hundreds of Chanel pieces at a stunning auction house in Paris

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