I respect the inconsequential nature of the enormous, expensive, headline-making sets that Chanel constructs for almost all of the four major runway shows it holds ever year. Boats, icebergs, supermarkets, restaurants, and for Spring 2019 an actual beach: season after season, Karl Lagerfeld instructs the brand’s event staff to construct something ridiculous, and then on that incredibly grand stage, he shows tweed suits and flap bags and prim little flats, adjusted in color and finish to match the theme but still, on a basic level, the same clothes, accessories and jewelry that we’ve long seen from the brand. It’s like the backdrop of an elaborate theme and set give Lagerfeld ever more high-stakes opportunities to remind you that the one and only real theme is Chanel.
So yesterday, at the Grand Palais in Paris, the models walked down sandy beaches, holding their prim little sandals in their hands, draped with bags that were unmistakably Chanel—but at the beach. The flap bags were rendered in bright terrycloth, the vanity cases were constructed out of wicker, the pricey minaudieres were miniature beach balls. It was all exactly what it needed to be for the brand Chanel is and the customers it serves.
There are times that Chanel’s tendency to hew so slavishly to its signatures and fan-favorites bores me, and there are times where it feels comfortingly steady, and today’s the latter. With Celine in the grip of Hedi Slimane and many other brands trying new things that just don’t quite work in their current states, it’s almost calming to know that while Karl Lagerfeld is there, Chanel will always be what we think it will be.
[Photos via Vogue Runway]
This collection was so sweet. I loved all the clothes and I loved the bags. It was repetitive of other shows but I think that’s what is great about Chanel. I notice there are no 31 bags and for me that’s a plus, they seem too Dynasty 1980’s for me. I will have a fondness for Chanel and especially the spring colors which are usually bright and warm.
I think what makes Chanel great compared to other brands is the fact that their bags are fun and never pretentious.
Everybody is copying Chanel but in a very literal way while Chanel is maybe consistent but never dull. It just makes you smile.
I would love for Karl to make a Rock-chic collection again just to show to Hedi how it’s supposed to be done!
let’s be very real with each other, hedi would not care. that dude is just out in the world plugging every variable of a designer into his formula and sometimes, sure, it works, but other times… like now… anyway, let’s just think of these chanel bags yay!!!
What is the flap bag where it looks like a model has two cross body? Is this a new style for the season? Does the bag have a name? I kind of love it. It looks functional, but distinctly Chanel.
Copying Anya Hindmarch’s chubby cloud collection
Nice collection. I love LOVE! the Chanel lunch box!
CHANEL has never let me down. Love them
I really like the soft Chanel flap, I wonder how it would do with things in the bag but it is great!
So pretty!! Beautiful collection
i just love this collection – a breath of fresh air after a rather drab fall fashion week!
This was a fantastic collection!
Lovely collection. Down side is: I finally see bags I like but out of my price range!! That figures.
I’m kinda liking the double cross body! Probably double the price too!
That one reminds me of the vest-style purse Demi Moore carried in the movie Indecent Proposal (I know, I am ancient lol). I have always loved that style but never could find one.
Amazing collection! Totally agree that every collection was crap except for Chanel. Seriously why is Hermes at the top??
The show was a virtuoso example of creative staging…kudos to the people who made it happen! As for the bags, I liked best the ones from photos 20 and 21. Curious to see what the prices will be (I know they will be high, but am waiting to see if they’ll be stratospheric)
Not a big fan of any of these bags. I love the bracelets and could see myself wearing. I would, however, love to own the beachball minaudier in slides 6 and 22 just as collector pieces.
I LOVE 10 and 18! The wicker/basket lunchbox/vanity cases. So cute and I love those colorways
I wouldn’t even CONSIDER investing I the terry cloth bags. We are all wary of the declining quality of Chanel and worry how tweed will hold up over time. Displaying the terry bag as a display piece will reign of with dusk. It would not be practical to carry.
Yeah but what else would you use to mop up the cranberry juice you spilled on your kitchen floor:)
I like how they strapped shoes to the bags. Cute detail!
Chanel needs to improve the quality of their bags. It’s ridiculous that the prices go up and the quality goes down. I don’t care how fun or whimsical they are they are no longer worth the price.
I usually love Chanel, but while some of these are visually interesting I wouldn’t buy any of them. A swing and a miss for me, but I like that so many others are giving the collection positive reviews.
There’re so many pieces I like, but I don’t think I can afford them,
Is Chanel becoming increasingly whimsical with every collection? I used to think of the brand as something timeless and heirloom-worthy. Coco Chanel herself was very big into practicality, creating revolutionarily functional and simple items for women. Although I understand that a fashion show is where you showcase prototypes and not necessarily what you are going to be actually selling in the stores, I get the impression that the overall image is that of conspicuous spending — a several-thousand dollar terry cloth bag; minaudieres at five-figure prices, with which one would not want to be seen more than a few times; giant fake pearl straps that might not be too comfortable on your shoulder or in your hand; and picnic basket styles that would probably not go with too many things in one’s wardrobe.
I read somewhere that a whimsical luxury item is something a person shows off to imply that she/he can afford several (one example was a Birkin in avocado-green, because a person who can afford only one Birkin would rather invest in something more neutral and versatile). And we see that kind of ‘playful’ spending mostly on the young wealthy crowd, so this trend might just be one of the signs of the times.
Having said that, I also need to clarify that I immensely enjoy seeing a designer take chances. I love it when irony and humor is worked into designs. A fashion show, especially a luxury fashion show, would be boring if all the pieces in it were safe, sensible, practical and logical. Boundary-pushing is great, if I look at the collection from the perspective of watching a moving art exhibit. From a shopper’s perspective, well, you know 🙂