While Chanel in recent years has shown its resort collections in an array of global cities (Cuba! Seoul! Dubai!), for this collection, Karl Lagerfeld brought the show back to Paris, specifically the Galerie Courbe of the Grand Palais.
Within the space, Lagerfeld recreated an ancient Greek city, albeit one in ruins, or if one prefers a more optimistic outlook, the site of an excavation where a once great city was being dug up for display. Similar to the tone set by the January haute couture show, the clothing reflected a more conservative side of Chanel, not unlike the current state of the world’s affairs.
Past the fanfare and fashion, one might also view the backdrop as a warning from Lagerfeld (who’s seen a few things!) of what could come for Paris and the world if we continue on our current political path.
A press statement on the backdrop read, “The criteria of beauty in Ancient then Classical Greece still holds true. There have never been more beautiful representations of women. Or more beautiful columns. The entire Renaissance, in fact, was based on antiquity.”
The garments themselves touched on ancient Greece fashion themes, especially the lace up gladiator sandals, and there were plenty of tunics and Grecian gowns, all touched with gold to reference ancient goddesses.
Just like the divvied up world, there are those who will love this collection because it’s essentially a roots and heritage collection. Others will view it as taking three steps back and no steps forward.
Check out video plus the entire collection below.
