Chanel made a triumphant appearance at the Haute Couture 2022 Show in Paris. Under the creative direction of Virginie Viard, the latest collection, imbued with a sense of the House’s traditional elements, albeit with stunning new silhouettes, drew upon 1920s and 30s fashion and the brand’s heritage.
Unsurprisingly, conventional tweed suits were adorned with feathers and sequins, while eveningwear was deconstructed and revealed a visual and design smorgasbord that one has come to expect from the brand.
While Viard’s usually edgy influences in the apparel weren’t quite as evident in the line, the upside was that it stuck to Chanel’s tradition to create pieces that were timeless and sophisticated.
The show, which was held at the Grand Palais Ephemère, was one of the few in-person events, despite the surging Omicron spread in France. Where several brands cancelled their shows, Chanel soldiered on.
Virginie reinterpreted the iconic tweed Chanel suit, which now has a skirt that doesn’t completely wrap around the legs, instead it reveals a feather dress underneath to complete the look. The look is distinctly 1920s Gatsby and is marked by trailing scarves and uneven hems. In essence, it is a nod to the inimitable Coco Chanel, who resorted to such methods to create a striking yet elegant look.
Over the years, Chanel has witnessed substantial growth in global business in couture, which is likely the reason why the brand decided to forge ahead with the in-person format. However, the guest list was whittled down and was spread across two events, to ensure safety of the attendees.
