It’s no secret that I have a deep (and according to Darling Husband, expensive) love of the legendary house of CHANEL. Synonymous with luxury, CHANEL is a shining example of all that is magical and downright artistic in the world of fashion. From their spectacular Haute Couture collections to their lust-worthy and totally iconic quilted handbags, each season and collection only further cements the power of CHANEL. Under the direction of fashion powerhouse Karl Lagerfeld, the house has only continued to remain at the forefront of the luxury world. Injecting his own impeccable taste and style, Lagerfeld has also fiercely honored the heritage of the brand and Gabrielle Chanel’s legacy since taking the helm of the house.
Since 2002, CHANEL has presented their Métiers d’Art collections once a year. Honoring the incredible craftsmanship of their artisan partners, these collections showcase the staggering talents of these workshops that specialize in everything from embroidery and buttons, to feathers and flowers. Typically, the collections are also inspired by different locations around the world. Previously having featured cities like Moscow, Monte Carlo, Salzburg, and Edinburgh, the 2015/16 collection was dedicated to the eternal city herself, Rome.
The CHANEL Métiers d’Art “Paris in Rome 2015/16” collection was shown at the legendary Cinecittà Studio who’s very sound-stages helped bring Federico Fellini’s famed films to life. The scene was set to evoke the vibrant feeling of vintage Paris and some of its liveliest quarters. Models emerged from the Rome station of Paris’ metro line wearing the classic CHANEL two-toned mule or smart little pearl sandals. Done in tones that bring to mind a Roman autumn like brown, ochre, and orange, the collection also relied heavily on the classic CHANEL palette of beige, cream, grey, black, and navy. Tweed, mohair and curly wool, cashmere, leather, jersey, velvet, lace, silk crepe, chiffon, and georgette brought to life an impeccable wardrobe of Parisian elegance and Italian glamour. The iconic CHANEL suit is trimmed in braid and comes in both a dress style as well as a three-piece version with jacket, straight skirt, and cigarette trousers. As for evening, the pieces were feminine and totally seductive with lace negligées done in overwhelming elegant fabrications of luxe lace and velvet. As for the beauty look, it was downright Bardot. Tousled hair and Kohl rimmed eyes totally bring to mind the famed French beauty.
To say that I’m enamored with this collection is an understatement. It’s a glorious marriage of Parisian elegance and Italian glamour all while highlighting the staggering talent of the workshops that supply CHANEL. It brings to mind the cool glamour of the legendary Bridget Bardot and the sultry seductiveness of Anita Ekberg as Sylvia in Fellini’s masterpiece La Dolce Vita.
I justified purchasing a bag from the 2009 PARIS-MOSCOU collection by telling myself it was part of my cultural patrimony (my mother’s family history is rooted in Russia after all). Now if only Darling Husband would go for my argument that a piece from the “Paris in Rome” would honor our honeymoon stop in Rome.
Photos:
CHANEL
