We all know that carrying or wearing Chanel is an exercise in art (or arousal, depending on your sensibilities). Now, you can check out the story between the lines at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai where they’ll be presenting an exhibition of Chanel’s literary and artistic inspirations.

400 items will occupy both floors of the museum’s glass structure, including clothing, artworks, manuscripts and films. Curated by Jean-Louis Froment, a French art director and critic, it tells the story of Gabrielle Chanel’s rapport with artists including Jean Cocteau, Pablo Picasso and Igor Stravinsky — and continues through to the Karl Lagerfeld era.

“Culture Chanel” is set to run January 15–March 14, 2011.

[via WWD]