A Chanel creation at the museum. (AFP)

New York, May 3 (Reuters): If the colour black seems to have an uncanny hold on the world of fashion, a new exhibit may shed some light on who is responsible.

A show will display the fashion of Chanel from May 5 to 7 at New York?s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

French designer Gabrielle ?Coco? Chanel, who died in 1971, is considered to have transformed fashion by freeing women from corseted silhouettes and dressing them for modernity in relaxed and practical looks.

Chanel introduced the ?little black dress? in the 1920s, creating a fashion staple that every stylish woman would have in her closet for any occasion at a moment?s notice.

The exhibit is filled with signature looks by Chanel ? tweed jackets with round necks and contrasting cuffs and collars; two-toned pumps and sling-backs; lacy evening gowns; gilt chain accessories and ropes of pearls.