Sofia Coppola famously interned at Chanel when she was just 15. It was the summer of 1986.
“I ran errands, and it was thrilling to see a couture show,” the filmmaker has said. Through the years she’s directed short films and campaigns for the French house, becoming a fixture in the front row.
She’s now in her book launch era — looking back for her first release, “Sofia Coppola Archive: 1999-2023.” It’s been more than two decades since she made her directorial debut with “The Virgin Suicides,” which was the start of her collaborative relationship with Kirsten Dunst. In the 488-page volume, Coppola shares personal stories and unseen photographs, mapping the thread that led her path. With the help of Chanel, she’s been celebrating the work on both coasts; first came a bingo night in New York last week, and on Tuesday, Chanel hosted a dinner at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. The hotel is the setting of her 2010 film “Somewhere,” with Stephen Dorff and Elle Fanning.
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Fanning, with sister Dakota, were among Coppola’s crew of leading ladies and friends who came out in support: Dunst, with husband and fellow actor Jesse Plemons; Chanel ambassador Kristen Stewart; niece Gia Coppola, with artist and husband Honor Titus; Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy; Olivia Munn and partner John Mulaney; Alexandra Shipp; Molly Shannon; Awkwafina; Chloé Zhao; Paris Hilton, and Priscilla Presley. (Coppola’s next project, “Priscilla,” out wide on Nov. 3, is based on Presley’s memoir “Elvis and Me.” It stars Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi.)
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Most wore tweed and black-and-white ensembles, embodying signature Chanel. A few pulled from the métiers d’art 2023 collection, donning the ’70s motifs seen at the show (staged in Africa). Coppola — joined by husband and Phoenix lead singer Thomas Mars — arrived in a black and multicolor cashmere viscose dress. Meanwhile Stewart opted for cruise 2024, shown in L.A., wearing a stretch jersey Chanel swimsuit paired with black calfskin shorts. Standing out was Hilton, as she does, channeling Barbie Chanel in hot pink lamé. The Mulleavy sisters, too, in colorful ruffles.
Guests enjoyed dinner with wine while catching up — with a menu of burrata di bufala, followed by the choice of herb-roasted chicken or veal-beef bolognese, and berries and cream for dessert. Coppola thanked the crowd for coming, giving a special nod to Dunst, before introducing the night’s entertainment: Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum’s Prince cover band, Princess.