“Wow, oh wow, wait, that skirt, the fringes.” That was all you could hear in Tagwalk’s office this morning. A team of young women salivating over each Chanel Métiers d'Art look, analysing every detail and wondering how they could possibly justify buying even one piece of beauty.
The show took place last night in New York City, in a subway station, and it was Matthieu Blazy’s second collection for Chanel. I have to say it was executed with absolute perfection. You might think I am being a little over the top, but I am not, and here is why. Runway shows were originally created to make consumers want to buy the clothes. Somewhere between then and now, we lost ourselves in grandeur, spectacle and theatrics. What Chanel delivered in New York was easy, simple and above all desirable.
The show opened with a pair of denim jeans and a beige zip polo layered over a white teeshirt. The allure was effortless and it set the tone. What followed was a succession of strong looks from the cobalt polka dot jacket with a lava print pencil skirt (and incredible daisy braids!) to leather jackets, embellished denim. Each look clearly carried the essence and the DNA of the House of Chanel: tweed, pearls, beading. Yet everything felt designed for a woman who moves, who decides, who rushes through her day, and who occasionally heads to a gala. The variety of silhouettes combined with the consistency of the styling created a collection that is robust, coherent and incredibly clear in its message.
The return of colour, prints, checks and dots is bringing so much life back to a brand that should always feel wearable, original and elevated. Long live Chanel, A$ap Rocky, Margaret Qualley and those unforgettable fringed skirts.
P.S. Next time, I am coming.
