Coco Chanel: the Life of a Fashion Icon - a SELL OUT!

A co-production between Queensland Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet and Atlanta Ballet, the work enjoyed similar success overseas. With the World Premiere in Hong Kong selling out in three days and a near capacity crowds in Atlanta.

Queensland Ballet Executive Director, Dilshani Weerasinghe, said this success has been powered by people for people.

"We made a decision years ago to be a part of this inspiring new production, together with our friends at Hong Kong Ballet and Atlanta Ballet as we have a duty as storytellers to create new works for our artists, arts workers, audiences, members, corporate partners and visionary donors. Even those participating in our community dance classes have been engaging with adapted choreography from the ballet. We're serving all our people engaged with our artform and we thank them for their continued support and patronage, on and off the stage."

Choreographed by celebrated Belgian-Colombian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, the ballet brings the fashion legend’s life to the stage in a full-length narrative work exploring her glamorous, turbulent and trailblazing life.

Lopez Ochoa spent two years researching the life of Coco Chanel, who said the ballet was born out of a curiosity to discover the woman behind the perfume, and her struggle for emotional and financial independence and believes audiences may be similarly intrigued.

“Chanel is an enduring legend, but much of her life remains a mystery to most people. I believe audiences already familiar with Chanel’s iconic perfumes and designs are curious to know how the legacy came to be. Plus, who can resist a bit of couture glamour,” she said.

The strong ticket sales have built on what has already been an exceptional year for the company. More than 11,400 people will witness the production making it the most attended season of 2024 so far and bringing the year-to-date attendance figures above 42,000.

Queensland Ballet Acting Artistic Director Greg Horsman expressed his excitement ahead of Friday’s premiere.

“I’m proud of what the company has achieved both in rehearsals and at the box-office. It’s a testament to the commitment and hard work of many people.

“Ballet and fashion have always been a superb pairing. Chanel recognised this when she designed costumes for Sergei Diaghilev's legendary Ballet Russe, and it feels extremely fitting that we are now telling her story through the expressive and visual medium of ballet”.