The backdrops for Chanel’s runways shows have always seemed like cinematic feats in their own right. Whether staged on a private jumbo jet or in an 18th century Austrian palace, Karl Lagerfeld’s shows have never lacked on elaborate sets, or even theatrics for that matter. So it seemed only fitting then that for his latest endeavor, the designer-turned-director should take over an actual movie set to present his 2016 Métiers d’Art collection – a lineup worthy of the silver screen itself.
Staged at the famed Cinecittà film studio No. 5 – the site of such iconic films as “Roman Holiday” and “La Dolce Vita” – Lagerfeld’s latest show was a tour de force of contemporary Gallic insouciance. Showcased against an expansive set depicting an idealized Parisian neighborhood, complete with a brassiere, boulangerie, cinema, metro station and an Italian restaurant, the collection offered modern twists on classic French silhouettes that hinted at a coquettish side. Such hits included barely-there slipdresses, one-shoulder tops and black leather minidresses worn under mannish coats of textured felt. Schoolgirl tweeds and printed knitwear were present throughout, while ruffles, fringe and appliqués abounded on dresses, jackets and capes – all touches of an eminent couture house.
In terms of accessories, a glossy black shoulder bag in the shape of a vintage movie camera impressed, as did a pair of pointy-toed flats embellished with strings of pearls – a Coco Chanel favorite. This season also saw the introduction of a new shoe silhouette for the house: a mule with a snake intertwined around a pearl on the heel – a style that nodded to the sexual undertones present throughout the collection. Elsewhere, looks were finished with lingerie details including lace tights and long, fingerless gloves. And as with every Chanel show, the narrative attached to the collection, one that honored the Eternal City and Parisian style, was just as captivating as the pieces themselves.
Chanel | Pre-Fall 2016 Collection Below
Chanel | Pre-Fall 2016 The backdrops for Chanel’s runways shows have always seemed like cinematic feats in their own right.