What would Paris Fashion Week be without a Chanel extravaganza? Karl Lagerfeld is known for pushing the limits when it comes to a Chanel show; whether it be transforming the Grand Palais into a Chanel Airport terminal or “launching” a rocket during the finale, Karl creates an experience for show-goers and creates an enchantingly beautiful setting for equally beautiful clothes.

For this season’s Spring/Summer Ready-to-Wear collection at Paris Fashion Week, #CHANELByTheSea was the chosen theme, and oh, what a theme it was. The beach theme, set at the iconic Grand Palais, took ten days to build with sand spread across the floor, a wooden boardwalk and a wave machine assisting in creating an actual beach, where small waves would lightly crash onto the sand. It’s no wonder the pre-show advice to attendees was to “wear flat shoes” because even the models walked barefoot down the runway as they waded through the sand and water, carrying pairs of transparent logo-embossed mules.

Bright pink lips, bold, dangling earrings and belts spelling out CHA-NEL were worn by the models as well as straw hats and visors, fingerless gloves and beach ball bags. To rightly capture the atmosphere of a French Riviera seaside summer, sorbet and pastel colours took over the runway with tweed sarongs and high-waisted swimsuits paired with tweed blazers having their own moment. We loved the oversized silhouettes and flowing, patterned dresses that have us reminiscing on our own summertime memories.  

I think it’s time to plan the next summer holiday…