Virginie Viard has returned to Paris to unveil her debut Metiers d’Art show for Chanel.
Each year, the French luxury fashion house presents a runway show outside of the traditional schedule in order to honour the craftsmanship of artisan partners, such as shoemaker Massaro, embroiderers Lesage and Atelier Montex, feather and flower specialist Maison Lemarie, hatmaker Maison Michel, as well as glove manufacturer Causse Gantier.
Previously, Karl Lagerfeld held his Metiers d’Art shows in cities such as New York, Hamburg, and Rome, but following the creative director’s death in February at the age of 85, his successor, Viard, decided to present her latest line at the Grand Palais in the French capital on Wednesday night. With the venue transformed so it resembled brand founder Coco Chanel’s 31 rue Cambon apartment, a Chanel representative explained: “Before discovering the collection designed by Virginie Viard, the guests were able to linger for a while in a replica of Mademoiselle Chanel’s apartment. It was to this intimate baroque space, full of memories, books and cherished objects, that Gabrielle Chanel loved to return to clear her mind. The guests then sat down in a reconstitution of the salons at 31 rue Cambon, which used to host Chanel’s first fashion shows.”
The spectacle kicked off with Vittoria Ceretti descending a staircase with Art Deco mirrors and beige steps edged in white, with the model sporting a black coat with crystal embellishment around the waist and cuffs. A number of monochromatic outfits followed, all of which referenced the iconic “codes” of Chanel, like tweed jackets, tailored suits, logo belts, and layered pearl necklaces.
Midway through the show, Viard introduced pops of pink and violet, tie-dye tops, ombre fabric in sunset hues, with Gigi Hadid also modelling a classic suit without a shirt underneath.
Kaia Gerber walked the runway in a white T-shirt, logo print skirt, and black hat, with the ensemble topped off with a necklace featuring a pendant shaped like a tiny bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume. To conclude, the models paraded the runway in a series of chic cocktail dresses and embellished gowns.
© Cover Media