by Annie Vischer
The Grand Palais in Paris once again played host to one of the most anticipated shows of the season, this time transformed into an art gallery worthy of the spectacular designs that were to hit the runway. Guests were treated to robot Chanel No5 perfume bottles, quilted statues and paintings, all of which sat majestically alongside the soundtrack of Jay-Z’s ‘Picasso Baby’ that beat through the white-walled hangar like surroundings.
The designs that graced the spectacular setting were more than worthy of the atmospheric build up. The key Chanel influences were all present, the tweed, monochrome and pearls. But as far as palettes, texture and composition were concerned, everything had been turned on its head. Wide white crochet sat alongside ‘zoomed-in-on’ plaid tweed, varying shades of primary colours flanked each other as though in a paint chart, and pearls appeared as glossy baubles, off-setting the bold colours of the collection. Shoulders and flashes and midriff were exposed here and there, with most silhouettes staying close to the upper body and flaring out below.
Karl Lagerfeld was clearly confident the show had made the impression he desired as he walked the entire runway path himself, beaming his way past the appreciative audience (that included the likes of Anna Wintour, Vanessa Paradis, Kate Upton and Rita Ora), an artist justifiably applauded for his own grand designs.