The House of CHANEL has a glittering history of being intertwined with some of the most notable actresses of the 20th and 21st century. Both Gabrielle Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld were inspired by and influenced the style both on and off screen of these great women. From silent film legend Gloria Swanson being clad in CHANEL for the 1931 film “Tonight or Never” to Gabrielle Chanel creating costumes at the behest of some of the Nouvelle Vague’s top directors for stars like Romy Schneider and Anna Karina, CHANEL played an important sartorial role in the film cannon of the 20th century. During his tenure at CHANEL, Karl Lagerfeld would continue the relationship between the house and the stars of the silver screen by utilizing some of the biggest stars for campaigns, runways, and dressing them for the red carpet. It is this deep relationship with these creative and inspiring women that inspired Virginie Viard for the CHANEL Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-To-Wear collection.
“I was thinking about actresses at the photocall, on the red carpet, that moment when they’re being called to by the photographers: their faces a little distracted, their attitude a little out of sync with the outfits they’re wearing. And then there are the fans waiting for them behind the barriers, this very lively side to cinema that happens beyond cinema, that’s what I like,” explains Virginie Viard, “This collection is a tribute to the muses of the House. Some of them are far away, it’s been a long time since we saw them. Gabrielle Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld dressed so many actresses in films and in real life. I was thinking about them who make us dream so much. But without wanting to replicate. Without falling into a vintage citation. I wanted it to be very joyful, colourful, and very vibrant too.”
And the CHANEL Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-To-Wear collection is indeed vibrant. Featuring a colour palette of the house’s iconic tones of black, white, and ecru there is also a playful injection of riotous fluorescent tones. References to some of the greatest years of film and fashion are seen with standout separates and gowns begging for a red-carpet. The glamour and icy elegance of the silent screen of the 1030s is seen with a sleeveless black and white tunic with plunging neckline over trousers. The relaxed and subtle allure of the Nouvelle Vague starlets of the late 1950s and 60s is referenced throughout the collection with slim capri pants, slouchy knitwear, and body hugging little dresses. The more is more maxim of the 1980s is referenced with the power shoulders and oversized proportions of tweed pieces. And one of the final looks, a striking black gown with feather detailing, looks like it was made with CHANEL muse Margot Robbie in mind. It, and many of the other beautiful pieces that make up the CHANEL Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-To-Wear collection will undoubtably be donned by the very actresses that inspired their creation.
As for the bijoux and bags of the CHANEL Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-To-Wear collection, make sure to check back on Wednesday for a dedicated look at this beautiful pieces!
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