The lake, with serene natural beauty said to have inspired the works of many great Chinese poets and artists, provided a stunning backdrop on nightfall as models walked out on a wooden runway across the water.
As is often the case, the luxury French label chose to weave elements of the past with hints of the future, in an annual collection meant to highlight the brand’s intricate craftwork.
The entire collection was inspired by antique Coromandel screens, decorative works of art in Chinese lacquer that Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel is said to have loved decades ago. The Chanel founder apparently chose one in black lacquer inlaid with mother of pearl to adorn the study wall in her apartment at 31, rue Cambon, in Paris. The screen depicted Hangzhou’s famously picturesque West Lake, surrounding hills and local pines, a mesmerising view of a faraway city Coco would never visit.
Running with the idea, Chanel chose the lake as an element to weave a new story of a journey from Paris to Hangzhou.
Designs aimed to show of the expertise of Chanel’s artisans who work at Paris’ le19M. The atelier brings together hundred of skilled workers in a bid to protect the unique traditional skills of France’s talented embroiderers, feather workers, paruriers, goldsmiths, pleaters, shoemakers, hatters and milliners.
Featured in the collection were long coats for day and night in tweeds, satin, velvet or embroidered with little flowers, and plenty of layering in the form of belted jackets, skirts and trousers, perfect for the modern traveller the collection gave nods too.
Of course those on a journey need plenty of bags, and the French house obliged there too, with travel bags, hand bags and vanity cases. Mini-bags too, hung from the handle of bigger ones, extending the current favour for bag charms even further.
Subtle references to the inspiration were woven through the collection. For example, floral camellia and lotus and bird motifs turned up in embroidery and sparkling fabrics, black patent leather heels and boots also recalled that famous black lacquer and some garment shapes had hints of traditional Chinese styles, but there was nothing overt and the collection instead spoke of luxury and wonder.
See the best looks below:
Photos: Courtesy Chanel
