Chanel’s spring-summer 2020 ready-to-wear collection launch was breathtakingly Parisienne and truly something to behold.
Unveiled in front of an eager crowd at the historic Grand Palais, the show brought the magic of Paris rooftops to the runway. The outside world had been beautifully recreated inside the exhibition hall, a rooftop setting complete with rust-coloured chimneys, zinc surfaces, sky lights and windows.
It was the perfect setting for what was about to come.
Chanel’s Artistic Director, Virginie Viard, says the rooftops of Paris reminded her of the atmosphere of the French New Wave or Nouvelle Vague (the 1950-60’s rebellion against conformity brought to life through cinema).
“I saw silhouettes walking on the roofs. I thought about Kristen Stewart playing Jean Seberg and all the actresses Gabrielle Chanel dressed at that time,” Viard says.
While Stewart was absent from the Grand Palais crowd, the star power was provided by models Gigi Hadid, Kaia Gerber, Mona Tougaard and Cristina Piccone sashaying down the runway.
Singers Sting and Cardi B watched on alongside Chanel ambassadors Caroline de Maigret, Alma Jodorowsky, Soo Joo Park, Nana Komatsu and Jennie Kim.
Freedom and ease of movement were obviously top of mind for Viard when conceptualising the collection.
Materials were supple allowing for movement, while playing with the simplicity and balance of volume…
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(Photos courtesy of Chanel and Olivier Saillant)