There are few symbols that are more emblematic of the House of CHANEL than their iconic camellia flower. Its essence can be found in perfumes and skincare, its is image worked into clothing and accessories, and it’s even attached to shopping bags and ribbon wrapped packages once a purchase is made. Gabrielle Chanel was first attracted to the flower in the early half of the 20th century, adoring it for its clean and elegant simplicity. She embraced this gorgeous flower and what it represented. Having the ability to blossom in winter, the camellia is not only beautiful it is resilient. This resonated with Gabrielle Chanel and it has continued to resonate with the Maison. This time, it is artistic director Virginie Viard who has looked to the beloved camellia for inspiration for the CHANEL Fall Winter 22/23 collection.
“The camellia is more than a theme, it’s an eternal code of the House,” explains Virginie Viard… “I find it reassuring and familiar, I like its softness and its strength”. The Maison’s iconic flower can be found throughout the collection. Adorning purses, clipped into the hair, woven into sumptuous knits, imagined throughout romantic and playful prints, and worked into buttons it is found through out the CHANEL Fall Winter 22/23 collection. A palette of classic CHANEL hues like black, white, and pink dominate with beautiful touches of reds and blues dominate the collection and prove to be the perfect backdrop to the camellia.
The classic CHANEL tweed suit is imagined as a trim little jacket and mini skirt pairing perfectly reminiscent of the Mod styling popularized in the 1960s and 1970s. This stylistic reference point has proved to be yet again a favourite of Viard’s and one that has served her well. Gentle and romantic with touches of masculine codes like peak lapels and dandy-like evening and riding coats, the collection is a beautiful balance between strength and delicateness – quite like the very flower that first captivated Gabrielle Chanel over a century ago, and that is still so emblematic of the House of CHANEL.
And for those interested in the bags and accessories of the CHANEL Fall Winter 22/23 collection, you need not be disappointed. I’ll be following up on this article with a whole piece dedicated to these gorgeous pieces tomorrow!
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Photography: CHANEL
