Every december since 2002, Chanel has presented a collection dedicated to its artisans that highlights the dialogue that takes place between creative director Virginie Viard and the skilled craftspeople responsible for bringing the Parisian label’s designs to life. It’s known as Métiers d’Art, and this year’s edition showcased the button and jewellery specialists of Maison Desrues, the feather and flower experts of Maison Lemarié, the milliners of Maison Michel, the embroiderers of Maison Lesage and Atelier Montex, the shoemakers of Maison Massaro, the goldsmiths of Maison Goossens, the glove-makers of Causse Gantier and the pleaters of Maison Lognon.

The large gallery at Château de Chenonceau—with its lion statues (a symbol cherished by Gabrielle Chanel), embroidered tapestries and magnificent gardens—in France’s Loire Valley was the breathtaking location for the show. Actor and Chanel ambassador Kristen Stewart (Spencer, Charlie’s Angels, Seberg) was the only VIP guest as she is the spokesperson for the collection’s campaign—aptly named “Le Château des Dames” and shot by the talented Juergen Teller. Here, we see the intimate experience through Stewart’s own photographic lens.