When it comes to the fashion big show, Chanel has created some of the most transforming, sensual experiences ever. Of course, none other than Karl Lagerfeld is the demigod in charge of these full-blown fashion spectacles. Even when Chanel is venturing into nft like doodles nft art in Malaysia to find, Chanel is still iconic as ever.
The legendary brand known as the House of Chanel needs no introduction. In addition to its lavishly produced runway displays, the Parisian brand’s era-defining designs, unique scents, and highly sought-after accessories have helped it become a household name since its foundation in 1910. The almost a century-long history of Chanel, from its humble beginnings to its most current runway shows, is a reflection of cultural changes as profound as global wars and as complex as grunge music trends. Virginie Viard introduced a new era for the brand when Karl Lagerfeld, who had led it since 1983, passed away in 2019—an era that is perhaps still being defined.
Following Chanel’s extraterrestrial fantasy, we look back at some of the French house’s most extravagant, fantastical, and completely amazing fashion extravaganzas below:
Cruise 2015
At first glance, Dubai might not seem like the most sensible place for a Chanel spectacular moment, but when you take into account Chanel’s historical fascination with jewels and the romanticism of the emirate’s 1,000-year-old pearl diving business, everything makes sense.
Not to mention that Dubai is the second-most significant location for international retailers, so this small fact does give Chanel’s reference to the Middle East some commercial acumen. On a man-made island off the shallow shore of Dubai, Lagerfeld built an “egg box” structure just for this show. Lagerfeld released a collection of loud and proud excess to match the intricate structure of the show, which allegedly cost more than $1.7 million to produce and took two months to create.
Chanel’s Supermarket Chic
It’s difficult to see Karl Lagerfeld browsing the Carrefour’s aisles for milk and eggs. However, judging by the fashion show he organized in Paris yesterday, he has some experience with food shopping. It could have initially appeared to be just another food court, complete with gaudy plastic carts and an abundance of freshly harvested and packaged goods. However, the advertising revealed the scam: “PLUS 30%,” written on one billboard, while Coco Chanel herself was shown over a cash register, wheeling a trolley while wearing a tweed suit and hat.
Kendall Jenner also made a Chanel debut on this runway show. There are bubblegum pink cut-out matchy two-pieces. The models were wearing stylish floral print trainers, often knee length. Chanel’s catwalk is iconic as fashion critics are adamant that Rihanna and Rita Ora will be wearing those high trainers in no time.
Spring/Summer 2015
Fashion and activism had a fling in this year, as Chanel held a feminist protest inside the Grand Palais. The enormous area was converted by Lagerfeld into a Parisian sidewalk, replete with wacky actual details like puddles on the floor. When a fake protest featuring models holding banners in place of the usual lap of finalists looks was introduced, the motivation for Lagerfeld’s intense attention to detail became obvious.
The models marched down the runway together carrying signs that shouted phrases like “Ladies First,” “Women’s Rights Are More Than Alright,” and “History Is Her Story,” all while Cara Delevingne and Gisele Bündchen carried megaphones. Learn more about the complex connection between activism and fashion here.
Another explosive blockbuster programme is provided by Chanel. This specific season, Lagerfeld moved to the skies with Chanel Airlines and converted the Grand Palais into a bustling airport terminal, complete with Chanel-branded accouterments like check-in kiosks, ticketing agents (all of whom were naturally male models), and branded baggage trolleys. Karl Lagerfeld is mercilessly attentive to detail, so visitors to the show sat on excruciatingly uncomfortable boarding gate chairs as they all saw models walk and check in for their flights.
With badges and prints of airplanes, the clothes themselves obviously reflected the subject of the event. Perhaps Karl intended for this performance to be a less-than-subtle critique of the appalling condition of airport fashion.
Fall/Winter 2008
Even though the global fashion crisis was at its worst at the time of this exhibition, Lagerfeld has never been one to promote a chic-balance aesthetic. In actuality, the performance was as opulent as you could anticipate, with a massive custom-built carousel occupying the Grand Palais. It was obviously labeled with Chanel’s recognisable emblem and elaborately decorated with enormous quilted bags, camellias, pearls, boaters, and bows. While the world economy collapsed, Lagerfeld spent lavishly on a merry-go-round that displayed an array of multicolored tweeds, denim, chains, and knits that were all unmistakably Chanel.
Fall/Winter 2010
Even the last stages of the global recession posed no challenge to Mr. Lagerfeld. It was likely his most grandiose deed to date. He acquired a 265-tonne, nine-meter-tall actual iceberg from Scandinavia for Chanel’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection, and had 35 ice carvers from all over the world hand-carve it in only six days. Yes, you read it right. He imported the iceberg!
Fun fact: To prevent the ice piece from melting, the Grand Palais, where the performance took place, had to be maintained at four degrees below Celsius (about 28 Fahrenheit).
There’s more of Chanel’s show-stopping runway but the fashion show’s runway on this list are some of it. Literally iconic.
