Words by Carolina Sandeman
Virginie Viard approached Chanel’s fall collection with a sense of nostalgia for the shows of the past. Reminiscing on stories Karl Lagerfeld would tell her about how models would dress themselves and do their own makeup, she imagined a show that had today’s models walking by each other up and down stairs, going from room to room, with coats piled up in a cloakroom, as if putting on a show for their own pleasure.
Viard approached this collection with the idea of contrasts in mind, which is made obvious by the two themes she has focused on, ski holidays and Parisian chic from the 1970s to today.
Focused on her love of contrasts, she has created these through volumes, materials and the collection’s spirit, opting for voluminous winter pieces to feature in the tight spaced venue. Longing for something warm yet lively, this collection features long tweed coats paired with bare legs and black curly faux fur boots, a black tweed trouser suit with small checks in blue lurex decorated with thin pearl braces and necklaces.
The contrasts are further explored with a white patent sheepskin coat lined with faux fur that is styled with black and white quilted boots that transform into sliver heeled booties. Taking these juxtapositions to the next level by pairing salopettes-ski suits with strappy sandals, embellished with chains and bows or pumps decorated with camellias and light-weight blouses styled with winter sportswear pieces.
Viard’s two main influences are contrasted throughout this collection and come together to create their own message and a surrounding environment which brings to mind an amazing girls night in with your friends and the excitement of doing each others’ makeup and dressing up in your best outfits.
