One of the highlights of the Fall/Winter 2018/19 fashion collections in February and March was most certainly Chanel’s exquisite fabulous Ready to Wear fashion show in a forest setting at the magnificent Grand Palais. Baroque Access has all the details
Chanel’s signature details were also very evident – jewelled buttons, necklaces and bracelets interlaced with chains and beads, cabochon and pendant earrings… There was lots of classic tweed, also frayed or woven, alternating with all sorts of fabrics, including cotton canvas, soft knits, velvet and corduroy. Footwear included thigh-high and other boots as well as brogues in oxide gold leather. Pink leather fingerless gloves were a hit, as were the faux fur cuffs encrusted with feathers and huge colourful scarves adding warmth to the modern silhouettes.
Long, tubular silhouettes boasted square shoulders; clean, high collars and flared out with godets and peplums. The iconic Chanel jacket was seen longer, worn mid-thigh or short at the waist. The signature suit featured a twist with poncho peplums and the long, pencil-cut, straight or double-breasted coats added a touch of purity to the collection. Skirts and dresses featured pencil lines, sometimes interrupted with a slit, a godet and a slightly dropped waist. Belted trousers were voluminous and large overcoats skimmed the floor. All in all, a very dramatic take on what has come before.
There is a new Chanel handbag, named the ‘31’, with a generous shopper shape combining both smooth and quilted leather, printed cotton canvas or tweed. Some large bags in shearling were also evident. The 11.12 Chanel handbag was adorned with rhinestoned bark motifs, and the iconic Gabrielle bag returned in a mini version to match the outfits. In addition, Chanel’s signature camellia was transformed into a sparkling evening bag.
Evening wear was sophistication pushed to the extreme: Chanel’s little black dress was at its most refined while other fragile dresses in embroidered tulle and organza also made their mark, worn underneath a quilted down jacket finished with braid. Leather and lace combined over a little black dress with draped sleeves; leather was also shown as trousers, worn with a chiffon blouse with multiple ruffles at the elbows.
There was so much to see, so much to absorb… sheath dresses with chevroned ribbons, crepe blouses quilted at the shoulder and the wrists, black velvet barely powdered with silver, faux fur capes with feathers…
Chanel’s latest collection is magnificent, another coup by Lagerfeld who knows no bounds.