March 7, 2018 |
Into the Chanel twilight zone. The Grand Palais was turned into a forest, calm and misty. Autumn leaves covered the floor and mossy trees stood tall. Well, Karl Lagerfeld can magic up anything. It was a celebration of the grace of nature. The girls walked with a soft stride, less attitude than usual, more at peace. Nothing to prove, they were all knowing. Yes, they were secure in all those ankle length woven tweeds, cuffed with feathers or frayed, cocooning them in big scarves, the ultimate Chanel protection. Bark printed leather shined, serious camouflage in the woods. The volume was amped up in the second half of the collection, strings of pearls swung, fine gold layered chains hung from the waist and that stride became swaggering. Shirts and dresses were more sharply tailored, square shouldered and tiered fabulously on the sleeves. More mission-like.
The hint of a puffa began to reveal itself in lean silhouettes. Would it be an Autumn/ Winter 18 show without a puffa jacket? Fragile black lace skimmed the body, vivid hot pink and electric blue fingerless gloves crept up arms. Ooh glamour glamour. From all that autumnal tweed to black silk satin and tulle, Chanel logo’d chains and our perfect evening dresses, it was a spot on winter wardrobe for the Chanel woman who never has a bad day. We had our eyes on that new bag shape, tucked under the arm like a squishy tote, name yet to be revealed but all those ladies will be queuing up at 31 Rue Cambon for it. There was no male presence, not even Hudson here. It was all about celebrating women. This was strictly their realm and perhaps why there was such a tranquility to it all. Electronic music powered them on but there was a soft strength to all those women in Karl’s creations going forth. No fight to be had here, they’ve already won.
Photographs by Jason Lloyd Evans
