On July 3rd, CHANEL presented its Fall/Winter 2018-19 Haute Couture collection at the Grand Palais in Paris.

© CHANEL
CHANEL sought inspiration from Paris, the city of literature. The runway, which resembled a snapshot of Paris with the Institut de France, founded in the 18th century, was decorated with a replica of the book stands lining the Seine River, decorated with magazines and photographs related to Chanel.

Models strutted briskly past men and children seated in chairs on the stands. The tweed suits featured straight silhouettes, but the waists were slightly shaped, and the house's signature braid was decorated with zippers. The side slits on the skirts and the jacket sleeves were "high-profile," changing their appearance depending on whether they were open or closed. The miniskirts and colorful gloves peeked out from the slits created a beautiful contrast. The color palette also evoked the colors of Paris. The pale and charcoal grays that Karl Lagerfeld described as "the colors of Paris" were used as a base, along with subdued hues like silver and gold that shimmered in the Seine River at night. The greens reminiscent of Parisian architecture and the mauve of the pre-dawn sky served as accents. The evening dresses were a mix of luxurious materials and embellishments, bold volume and sheerness. Puff-sleeved and strapless dresses adorned with sequins and beads shone even more brilliantly against simple bottoms. One after the other, looks fully demonstrated the atelier's handcrafted craftsmanship, the essence of haute couture, including a fluffy dress layered with silver leaves, a velvet dress shining with artisanal skill, and a dress with a feathery balloon silhouette.

The final look was a pale green suit inspired by the formal wear worn by members of the Institut de France. Embroidered leaf motifs on the front and cuffs, an elegant high collar, and a refined headpiece stood out, highlighting the beauty of its flowing lines and overflowing with the excellence that is symbolic of the collection.