image. Copyright CHANEL
Chanel transformed the Grand Palais Éphémère in Paris into the breathtaking Deauville Boardwalk for its Fall-Winter 2024/25 Ready-to-Wear collection. In the show notes, creative director Virginie Viard commented, “Deauville is where everything started for the House. 1912, the creation of her hat shop and then very quickly the first clothes with their visionary, radical style. It’s where it all began for Gabrielle Chanel.” A giant oval-shaped screen played clips of the seaside from dusk ‘til dawn while the surrounding wooden plank-clad runway served as the boardwalk.
Familiar faces, Penélope Cruz – who starred in the show’s introductory film by Inez and Vinoodh, a tribute to the American Film Festival and Claude Lelouch’s A Man and a Woman, alongside Brad Pitt – Margaret Qualley, Riley Keough, and Naomi Campbell sat front row, taking in the exuberant display inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s own wardrobe.
The opening look, a long black dressing gown-esque coat cinched with a thin belt, accented by a soft pink wide-brimmed hat with a gold floral brooch pinned to the front, sheepskin thigh-highs with a black patent toe, a chunky gold CC necklace and earrings, and a classic Chanel flap in a peachy tone, merged both 20s and 70s styles.
Known for their iconic bags and accessories, this season brought a sunset-inspired colour palette of bold orange, soft pink, and pale blue to the forefront. Quilted shoulder bags, sky-high platform boots, colourful silk scarves tied onto ponytails, elegantly layered necklaces, bow detailing, and pearl-adorned jewellery added an air of femininity to some of the more masculine silhouettes.
A sea of sequin-embellished tweed suits, oversized shouldered peacoats, wide-leg culottes, and chunky knitted sweaters made their way down the boardwalk, paired with flouncy blouses and skirts which flowed elegantly next to the more structured pieces. Cardigans, sweaters, and dresses featured the Deauville skyline knitted into them, with black birds flying through the sky. Structured gold lamé suits and classic tweed featuring gradients of yellows and pinks resembled the soft hues of golden hour.
Gigi Hadid graced the runway in a knitted, semi-sheer black long-sleeve maxi dress embellished with gold statement jewellery – three layered gold medallion necklaces, thick cuff bracelets, and gold coin earrings – a skinny black and gold belt, and a black Chanel camera bag.
The influence of A Man and a Woman was manifested through the brand’s use of 35mm film and cinema tickets printed onto flowy dresses and silk camisoles. Thigh-high boots in sheepskin also nodded to the 1966 French film, reminiscent of Anouk Aimée’s coat.
The final look was a midnight blue – almost black – silk maxi dress with a fitted v-neck bodice and pleated skirt, matching platform boots, a stark white wide-brimmed hat, black quilted shoulder bag, and silver jewellery, encompassing the vision of the collection.
words. Amber Louise
images. Copyright CHANEL
