Chanel may be without a designer, but that didn’t deter the clients, who poured through the newly christened Gabrielle Chanel entrance of the Grand Palais (the brand has contributed to the renovation of the vast exhibition space).
They gathered before a recreation of the bird cage in Vanessa Paradis’s famous Coco Chanel campaign, posing for selfies in their latest or rarest Chanel. The venue had recently hosted the fencing and taekwondo at the Paris Olympics, but a Chanel show is the people-watching Olympics, where the faithful gather in excited clusters swapping stories of wearing couture heirlooms from their mother’s closets or chasing prized Karl pieces at auction. Some showed off their daughters, already initiated into the Chanel universe in matching mini-me suits and handbags. Others showed off their dogs, but the message was the same. Designers may come and go but Chanel is for life and Chanel is a way of life.
In lieu of a new creative director announcement (expect that in the coming months), the brand served up a plethora of house codes, gently refreshed for SS25. Tweed suits of every style from mini and sassy to chic and stately, were on show – the sheer variety and choice was impressive. There was something for everyone. Cool girls could choose tweedy hot pants and blouson jackets, whilst classic girls could wear the Jackie O style suits with wrap-over skirts. And everyone could have fun in the chunky platform Mary Janes.
Soft creamy chiffon capes, fastened with a camellia and worn with matching cream denim lent the show an effortless look. Little stripey knits and candy-coloured knitted mini dresses added to the easy breezy vibe. Lightness and ease were also the theme for evening where crinolined lace LBDs and flouncing, feather embellished chiffon gowns were served. Riley Keogh closed the show singing Prince’s When Doves Cry whilst swinging in the bird cage set.
Photography courtesy of Chanel.
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