Perched atop the hills of the picturesque French village of Hyéres is the modernist Villa Noailles. With its sun-drenched terraced gardens and expansive views of the blue waters of the Mediterranean, this cubist inspired home was built by famed architect Robert Mallet-Stevens in 1923 for noted patrons of the arts Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles. The couple moved within the same artistic circles as Gabrielle Chanel and supported many of the same artists that Mademoiselle Chanel did. A natural friendship developed between Chanel and the de Noailles with Mademoiselle spending time at the Villa in the company of them and their artistic circle.
The House of CHANEL has maintained a deeply personal relationship with the Villa Noailles and the village of Hyéres over the past century as a major patron of the Villa and the Fashion and Photography Festival held in Hyéres. This connection is also found in the inspiration that the Villa Noailles offered the late Karl Lagerfeld, and now, Virginie Viard.
For her Spring/Summer 2024 Pret-a-Porter collection, Viard notes that it is “an ode to liberty and to movement, and tells a story that has its origins in the gardens of the villa Noailles…sophistication and informality, the tweed throughout the collection, sportswear and lace: I tried to bring one thing and its opposite together in the coolest way possible. And the gardens and swimming pool of the villa Noailles, that exceptional setting, lend themselves to that rather well.”
The modernist structure of the Villa and its gardens are found throughout the collection with beautiful geometric prints and tweeds. There is a sense of freedom in the pieces, suits are lightweight and quite supple with jackets having no lining. This ease permeates throughout with pieces that are decidedly relaxed and uncomplicated in their elegant simplicity. While there are the signature CHANEL details like camellia flowers, bows, and gold chains, they add a touch of feminine whimsy to the collection. As for accessories, there are a wide selection of classic and seasonal styles for large slouchy bags perfect for the beach to chic little mini bags perfect for warm summer evenings. As for shoes, there are easy and elegant flats and even flipflops featuring a delicate take on the iconic CHANEL interlocking CC.
Gabrielle Chanel first freed women from the constraints of the corset over a century ago with modern designs that were meant to move on the body. Viard has continued this carefree elegance with her latest designs for the CHANEL Spring/Summer 2024 collection.
