After the successful launch of the Coco Neige line in March 2018, Chanel continued to draw inspiration from winter sports for its latest collection, presented by the late artistic director Karl Lagerfeld on Tuesday, March 5th.
The show, which marked the end of Chanel’s 30-year collaboration with Lagerfeld, was highly anticipated during Paris Fashion Week 2019. Fashion enthusiasts eagerly awaited the unveiling of the collection and speculated about the accompanying set design. Chanel had teased glimpses of a ski slope in animated sequences prior to the show, but it wasn’t until minutes before the event that the house shared an official photo of the set. Lagerfeld and his team had meticulously recreated a picturesque village, complete with traditional wooden chalets and snow-covered mountains, under the glass roof of the Grand Palais.
At 11 a.m., the first images of the collection were released on Chanel’s website, along with pictures from the runway show on social media. The ready-to-wear line paid homage to winter sports with its reinterpretation of classic pieces. Sweaters in Scandinavian style, featuring round collars adorned with crystals, and ski jackets with delicate embroidery were showcased. The collection also featured leather and fur lace-up après-ski boots, zippered dresses resembling ski suits printed with the brand’s logo showcasing cable cars, and elasticated belts embellished with the iconic double C logo.
Unsurprisingly, the house incorporated its signature codes into the collection. The layering of tweed pieces, houndstooth patterns on voluminous suits, and intricately designed buttons adorned with snowflake motifs were among the notable highlights. Necklaces cascaded down the models’ necks and earrings either made a statement with oversized pearls, crystals, or plexiglass, or were absent altogether.
The color palette predominantly featured white, black, and brown, with pops of pink, red, and violet adding vibrancy to the collection. Notable models, including Cara Delevingne, Maria Carla Boscono, Kaia Gerber, and Penelope Cruz, graced the runway, with Cruz elegantly holding a white flower in her hand.
The show commenced with a minute of silence as a tribute to Lagerfeld. It concluded with David Bowie’s popular track “Heroes,” which had been played at the late designer’s final Fendi show as well. The choice of song exemplified Lagerfeld’s own sentiments, as he previously stated in a podcast that he aimed to look forward rather than dwell in nostalgia.
Useful links:
1. Chanel Official Website
2. Vogue Fashion Shows
