With each new season, the latest collection by Karl Lagerfeld for CHANEL is always one of the most anticipated. The shows that the legendary fashion house stages to present the newest collection are a highlight of the season. From launching an actual rocket ship to recreating the Eiffel Tower, Monsieur Lagerfeld continues to outdo his own creativity. For the dreamily sublime CHANEL Spring-Summer 2018 Pret-a-Porter collection, the famous Gorges du Verdon, a canyon with multiple waterfalls, was the inspiration for the décor of the show. Lagerfeld transported this famous natural wonder from the south of France to the heart of Paris with the Grand Palais playing host to a towering facsimile of the famed falls that served as the perfect backdrop for a collection imbued with aquatic tones and ethereal fluidity.
With a color palette inspired by the richness of nature, featuring luxe greens, delicate pinks, dreamy aqua prints in blue and white, and twinkling gold and silvers that are intended to echo the reflection of the sun and moon on the water’s surface, the hues create an elegant rainbow of summer color. Fabrications of tweed, crushed smooth silk, leather, chiffons, and laces lend themselves to embellishments like shimmering Lurex threads, fringe, and embroidery. Many pieces have an almost undulating silhouette reminiscent of the aquatic inspiration found throughout the collection. Just as the House’s founder Gabrielle Chanel was a study in contradictions, romantic yet fiercely independent, feminine yet unapologetic, so too are many of the pieces that make up the Spring-Summer 2018 collection. Oversized blouses done in white chiffon are paired with straight little mini-skirts, while strapless chiffon sheath dresses with elegant parquet pleating are finished with diaphanous coquillé flounces for a perfect contrast of strict and supple and short and long. For Spring-Summer 2018, the iconic CHANEL suit jacket is shown with cropped trousers, geometrically stitched dresses, and even iridescent short skirts trimmed with a twisted braid.
For a collection inspired by the beauty and suppleness of nature and water, Monsieur Lagerfeld presented a masterful interpretation that was delightfully feminine yet fresh and far from tritely thematic. And while you might have noticed that I haven’t yet touched on the accessories featured in the CHANEL Spring-Summer 2018 collection, it’s for very good reason. I’ll be dedicating a whole post next week to give you an in-depth look at the incredible accessories presented with this sublime collection. Prepare to be amazed darlings!
Photography via CHANEL
