Chanel Shows Paris Why They will Continue to Rule Haute Couture
On day two of Haute Couture Week, French fashion house, Chanel, had its annual couture show at the Grand Palais Éphémère in Paris. Chanel is one of the top haute couture houses in the world and it is known for their couture looks since its founding by Coco Chanel. Natural art was the center of this collection, creating a surrealist natural Chanel world. Several celebrities filled the front row such as actresses Tilda Swinton and Sadie Sink.
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The models came down the runway in a room filled with large cardboard, paper and wooden animals such as a bull and lion created by French artist Xavier Veilhan. Both Virginie Viard and Veilhan took inspiration from the many motifs in Chanel's 31 Rue Cambon apartment for the show and collection. When talking about Veilhan’s collaboration with her, she said, “For his third participation, I asked him to reinterpret the apartment’s bestiary and incorporate his own. The whole embroidery universe of the collection is turned towards the animal world,” she says. “I like it when the marvelous bursts forth and the course of events is interrupted.” Viard created a couture collection that was full of whimsical tweed and lace floating down the runway.
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Chanel looked at creative ways to open and close their collections; the animals on the shows’ set were used to bring models on the runway. As each new animal was rolled out, a model came out with a new look. For instance, for the finale, the show’s Chanel bride, model Anna Ewers,stepped out of an elephant in a white dress and veil. Natural motifs such as florals were a big theme for this collection. Many of the garments had floral motifs or were made from floral fabrics such as lace. Of course, the classic Chanel material tweed was popular with this collection with several garments from the collection being made from it.
Courtesy of The Telegraph
For this collection, Viard wasn’t afraid to look to other things for artistic inspiration. She took a more carefree take on this collection with looser silhouettes, high shoulders, drop down waists, and long coats. You can see the love and carefreeness of the collection from Viard. She pulled from the natural world with many garments having animals (such as corgis, cats, rabbits and swallows) or floral motifs embroidered onto them. Many models came out wearing top hats, knee high boots with bow ties, a look inspired by majorette dancers’ costumes.
Courtesy of The San Diego Tribune
Chanel has always been one of the leading couture brands in the world and this show showed why. With natural motifs, drapey silhouettes and lots of tweed, Viard showcases how creative and fun she can get with her garments. This collection was her way of showing how experimental she can possibly be when it comes to couture. See all of the looks here.
Here are the best looks from the show:
