Over his many years at the helm of Chanel, creative director Karl Lagerfeld has come to be known for his quirks: walking show’s finale with a muse by his side, never fairing far from the walls of the Grand Palais, and always creating incredible sets, each grander than the last.
For autumn/winter 2018, the French fashion house created a forest with leaves falling from trees and landing beneath models feet; for spring/summer 2018, Lagerfeld built a waterfall; for autumn/winter 2017, a huge functional rocket almost touched the Grand Palais’ ceiling.
Naturally, Chanel’s spring/summer 2019 show was no different. Overnight, Lagerfeld proved life really is a beach, transforming his venue into a seaside coastline, complete with sandy dunes, male models dressed as lifeguards and “gently undulating waves,” per the show notes found on guests’ partly sand submerged seats.
Models, such as Kaia Gerber and Australia’s own Akiima, walked barefoot through the crystal-clear waves, which moved to and fro like a real tide, wearing oversized straw hats, crossbody bags in the shapes of beach balls and seashells, and carrying their Chanel sandals in hand.
The seaside backdrop was even complete with its own tiki hut and mini boardwalk, on which Lagerfeld took his final bow, alongside Chanel Fashion Studio Director Virginie Viard.
As for the clothes, the beach theme continued with models dressed in black and white one-pieces, bikini-strapped bodysuits worn with silk sarongs and white tweed midi skirt embellished with palm trees.
Despite the beachside location, Chanel classics such as tweed and structured suiting still made an appearance on the runway, alongside a few eyebrow-raising inclusions, such as leggings and bike shorts. Jewellery was worn low-slung with silver hip belts spelling out Chanel, vintage-inspired quilted backpacks and belt bags slung over one shoulder and drop earrings that read ‘CHA’ down one ear and ‘NEL’ down the other. The show finished with eveningwear, every piece in black-and-white with added latherings of tulle, silk and sequin.
If Chanel says this is what we should wear to the beach this summer, count us very much in.
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