The Chanel shows at Paris Fashion Week are legendary for their elaborate sets, which in the past included the Grand Palais transformed into a train station, a shopping center and a winter wonderland.
And usually, the runway is the hot ticket of Fashion Week with the biggest names in the industry both on and off the catwalk.
But for Tuesday’s Haute Couture runway, the muses of the late Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfeld were MIA, although the brand maintained its reputation for showmanship by sending a horse down the runway.
Chanel’s new muse: Chanel’s Paris Fashion Week shows are legendary for their elaborate sets, and on Tuesday the brand sent a real horse down the runway for its Haute Couture show, instead of their usual favorite models
Tuesday’s show opened with Charlotte Casiraghi, the eldest daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco, an accomplished equestrian and one of Chanel’s newest ambassadors, riding down the catwalk while resplendent in black Chanel tweed.
Anna Wintour was among those with a VIP seat, sitting a few feet from the brand’s four-legged model, but the A-list was missing from the public and the catwalk.
Pharrell Williams was among the few stars spotted making her fashionable arrival at the Grand Palais, wearing a colorful cardigan and baggy jeans, topped with Chanel’s coveted mini round bag, which sells for over £3,000 .
VIP: Pharrell Williams was among the few stars spotted arriving fashionably at the Grand Palais earlier, dressed in a colorful cardigan and baggy jeans
This time last year the brand was forced to go virtual for its Haute Couture Spring/Summer show, after COVID 19 shut down the January PFW, and indeed the global pandemic led to a marked drop in shows expensive and exaggerated as well as the ability for international models to travel.
In 2019, Chanel attracted names like Normal People’s Daisy Edgar-Jones and her longtime collaborator Sofia Coppola to FROW.
The golden age of top models walking the runway is long gone, with Gigi Hadid and Kaia Gerber last seen on a Chanel catwalk in early 2020.
Model of the moment: Tuesday’s show opened with Charlotte Casiraghi, the eldest daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco, an accomplished horsewoman and one of Chanel’s newest ambassadors, walking down the catwalk
Fashionable FROW: Anna Wintour was seen watching Charlotte and her horse lead the way
Virginie Viard is the new artistic director of Chanel, succeeding Lagerfeld after his death in February 2019.
Lagerfeld was known for his muses, propelling Gerber, Kendall Jenner and Lily_Rose Depp to superstardom in the years before his death.
In his 36 years as creative director, Lagerfeld was known for his collaborations with models, “it” girls and the A-list, with show staples like his “Couture Brides” defining the shows he oversaw. . In turn, the shows at the Grand Palais and the familiar faces of the parade drew the stars to the FROW.
Missing muses: The golden age of top models strutting the runway is long gone, with Gigi Hadid and Kaia Gerber last seen on a Chanel catwalk in early 2020 (pictured)
Legs eleven! In 2019, the French capital’s Grand Palais was transformed into Villa Chanel as Kaia Gerber stole the show. COVID restrictions have meant the fashion house has scaled back its elaborate ensembles over the past two years
Meanwhile, Viard, who had worked for Lagerfeld since 1987 before her rise to the top, was described by Vogue in 2020 as “the least famous fashion designer in her most famous house”.
In her previous role as Lagerfeld’s studio coordinator, Viard forged year-long friendships and collaborations with the artisans behind the Maisons d’Art, the characters behind the creations instead of the beauties who dressed them.
The Chanel show is one of 16 live shows taking place during the week, up from eight shows last season, with COVID severely limiting fashion houses who could hold a public event.
Seven other houses will organize physical and video presentations for publishers and clients this year; and six more will be purely digital screens.
New approach: Virginie Viard is the new artistic director of Chanel, succeeding Lagerfeld after his death in February 2019, and has preferred to focus on fashion rather than spectacle
Stunning: Viard sent models down the sweeping runway in draped silk in Chanel’s signature black and white palette
Here comes the bride: The finale of every Chanel Haute Couture show features a Chanel bride, with Lagerfeld previously employing ‘it girl’ models like Claudia Schiffer, Kendall Jenner and Cara Delevingne to close the show as her bride
Grand Palais: Chanel’s favorite venue was dressed in huge geometric shapes and featured a curved runway