The Chanel show during Paris Fashion Week transported fashion enthusiasts to a summer haven inspired by the charm of the south of France, particularly the Villa Noailles nestled on the outskirts of Hyères. This picturesque location, with its lush hills and proximity to the sea, was the brainchild of Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles, an influential couple in the Parisian art and intellectual circles, and someone with whom Coco Chanel shared a close relationship.
The choice of this locale was a seamless fit, given the long-standing fashion and photography festival hosted in Hyères, sponsored by the Chanel brand. The French Riviera’s ambiance set the stage for an immersive experience.
The Location: The ambiance exuded a carefree summer vibe, with large-format photographs adorning the walls, showcasing the breathtaking view of the Hyères valley from Villa Noailles. The color palette leaned towards black and gray, a departure from the extravagant backdrops of previous Chanel shows, which featured rockets, icebergs, and entire supermarkets. This time, the focus was squarely on fashion.
Famous Guests: The Chanel fashion show attracted a star-studded audience. Penélope Cruz donned a white couture costume from the current collection, while Usher adorned himself with a dozen pearl necklaces paired with a bouclé jacket. Brie Larson stole the spotlight with her short tweed jacket paired with a sequin-embroidered tulle skirt. Notably, Chris Rock rocked an oversized tweed jacket with cargo pants. The collection, comprising 72 looks, offered a versatile range suitable for summer vacations, spanning from beach clubs to late dinners. The lineup featured wide kaftan looks, pleated evening dresses with low waists, short shorts, swimsuits, skinny jeans, Bermuda shorts, and crop tops. Some models even draped beach towels around designer Virginie Viard herself.
Key Accessories: Chanel’s new season introduces inventive fashion accessories. Virginie Viard suggests threading pearl necklaces through your belt loops for a decorative twist on the classic leather belt. Additionally, the fashion world is abuzz with anticipation for Chanel’s flip-flops, extra-flat and adorned with the iconic double C logo on the toe separator. These minimalist yet chic flip-flops are poised to fly off the shelves, becoming a must-have item for the summer season.
