Typically, when summer comes to a close, I end up delaying pulling out my Fall/Winter pieces for as long as possible. However, thanks to CHANEL’s brand new COCO NEIGE collection that’s designed for winter enjoyment from the slopes to après-ski, I’m almost wishing for the first snowfall. When you’re swathed in CHANEL, a little snow is hardly a problem! A first for the famed fashion house, COCO NEIGE is Karl Lagerfeld’s latest creation that perfectly marries the history of CHANEL with contemporary freshness. It is dedicated solely to elegant winterwear and is designed with both the ski bunny and chalet lover in mind.
Mademoiselle Chanel created clothing for the life she lived and for the woman that she was. Fiercely independent and part of the stylish European jet set, she could be found just as easily on the deck of a yacht or the fashionable beaches of France, to the racetrack at Deauville or the slopes of a chic ski resort. COCO NEIGE is a sartorial love letter to the elegant sportswoman that Mademoiselle Chanel was and her enduring legacy on this famed Maison.
Incorporating the iconic CHANEL tweed with leather, wool, denim, velvet, satin, and waterproof and windproof materials, the pieces are not simply gorgeous but meant to be worn on the slopes or at the very least, while “chalet-ing”. Made with a full range of movement as well as comfort in mind, even the most serious skiers and borders will find the garments up to their performance standards. A hallmark of the House, the masterful mixing of the masculine and the feminine is perfectly displayed throughout the pieces that make up this special collection. With a color palette of mostly black and white, although there are flashes of blue and fuchsia, there are even hints of the beloved CHANEL camellia found throughout as well as crests and medals in the shape of snowflakes. From downright elegant parkas and down jackets, to trousers and ski pants that flare our perfectly to cover a boot, there are also chic little slim fit sweaters and gilets with mountain motifs. For accessories, there are suede mittens, denim caps, wool berets, and ribbed knit balaclavas. Eyewear was also designed with performance in mind with lenses that protect against the rays of the sun and glint of the snow. The frames themselves are made with a titanium with high impact resistance, as well as protecting the skin from the cold. And what would a ski collection be without goggles done with a logoed adjustable strap? For shoes, there are two-toned booties, and boots with long haired fur, as well as mountain-style shoes featuring hooks and laces in both tweed and nylon.
And let us not forget the bags! (Because a CHANEL collection must surely feature a selection of enviable bags.) From shoppers and backpacks, to a classic favorite, and even a fresh new style that has become a favorite, the bags are done in both quilted nylon and shearling. As for the classic 11.12 bag, it’s shown in a gorgeous suede braided with wool, and also in a down-filled soft nylon featuring an embossed tone on tone with CHANEL emblazoned across.
The nineteen looks that Monsieur Lagerfeld created for his first COCO NEIGE collection are sporty yet no less elegant than his other designs for the House of CHANEL. I have to admit, I’m a rather abysmal skier, but these gorgeous pieces are making me want to hit the slopes, bumps and bruises be damned. For those who want to scoop up pieces of this special collection, it’s currently available in CHANEL boutiques.
Photography via CHANEL
