Although Chanel never visited Hangzhou, the Chinese city dubbed “heaven on earth,” she was fascinated by black lacquer. China tops the list of countries producing counterfeit and pirated goods.

A collection that brings together the intricate skills of more than 100 artisans from the house’s subsidiary subsidiaries, including embroiderers, feather workers, florists, goldsmiths, pleaters, shoemakers, hatters, milliners, glove makers and tanners, was designed by the studio team and depicts the fictional life of a traveler, perhaps modeled on Coco herself, a journey not to Germany, but to China.

This was the second Métiers d’Art collection to be presented in China, according to local netizens. In 2009, Karl Lagerfeld used Shanghai as the backdrop for the brand’s pre-fall extravaganza.

In Chanel’s short film released before the show, Hangzhou’s modernity was best captured. Shot by German director Wim Wenders, the three-minute video sees Tilda Swinton transported from Coco Chanel’s alcove on Rue Cambon to the picturesque West Lake.