A new day has dawned at Chanel with Karl Lagerfeld’s successor Virginie Viard has debuted her first haute couture collection in Paris this week. And as anticipated, the eyes of the entire fashion world were on the Chanel Haute Couture show, watching eagerly to see how Viard would approach the show.
“I dreamt about a woman with nonchalant elegance and a fluid and free silhouette; everything I like about the Chanel allure,” confided Virginie Viard, Artistic Director of Chanel Fashion collections.
Viard took a restrained approach to her first Chanel Haute Couture collection and looked to the 1930s for her sophisticated silhouettes – wide-leg trousers, fluid volume, with belts and bows adding shape and structure in all the right places. Rich textures – plenty of tweed, of course, and wool crêpe – featured alongside layers of luxurious chiffon and organza, while intricate beading and embroidery provided the finishing touch.
While there were plenty of nods to the heritage of the house, gone were the Chanel handbags and accessories that we’ve become accustomed to on the runway. However, it appears Lagerfeld’s love of an elaborate runway backdrop will live on in Viard and the house as the Grand Palais was transformed into a breathtaking circular library.
Discover our favourite looks from the show in the gallery below.
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