Chanel Celebrates Deauville Roots in Fall/Winter 2024 Prepared-to-Put on
If Paris was home and a creative sanctuary for Gabrielle Chanel, Deauville in Southern France is the place that helped establish her reputation and vision in fashion.
In 1913, Gabrielle Chanel opened her first boutique in the coastal town, marking the beginning of her revolutionary journey. Deauville became a playground for the avant-garde, where Chanel’s then-radical designs challenged the conventions of the time. The resort’s elegance and sophistication inspired many of Chanel’s forward-looking creations, from the iconic Breton stripes to the use of luxurious tweeds.
For Chanel‘s Fall/Winter 2024 collection, the brand’s Artistic director Virginie Viard masterfully brought us back to Deauville, the birthplace of the iconic fashion house, while paying homage to the timeless allure of cinema and the legendary figures who have graced its shores.
“Deauville is where everything started for the House. 1912, the creation of her hat shop and then very quickly the first clothes with their visionary, radical style. It’s where it all began for Gabrielle Chanel. This story is very close to my heart,” says Viard.
Hosted at Palais Grand Palais Éphémère, the show’s runway has been transformed into Deauville’s famed wooden walkways, known locally as the “Planches.” In the centre of the venue sits a giant curved screen showcasing long, romantic silhouettes strolling in the light from dawn to dusk, evoking a sense of romance and enchantment.
Sitting in the front row are the maison’s brand ambassadors Jennie of Blackpink and Chinese star Wang Yibo, drawing throngs of eager fans. Other show-goers include Bolin Chen, and Gwei Lun-mei, Caroline De Maigret and Margaret Qualley and Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda.
The show opened with a short black and white film directed by Inez & Vinoodh on the screen, setting the tone for the presentation and leaving all guests in surprise and awe. Featuring Brad Pitt and Penelope Cruz, the retelling is inspired by the 1966 film “A Man and a Woman” directed by Claude Lelouch and starring Anouk Aimée–a confidant of Gabrielle Chanel herself–and Jean-Louis Trintignant. Dressed in classic Chanel, the Hollywood duo infuses the timeless tale with their undeniable charisma, depth of emotion, and magnetic on-screen presence.
The collection is a breathtaking fusion of feminine elegance and cinematic allure, with a touch of androgynous charm. It draws inspiration from the sartorial influence and personal wardrobe of Gabrielle Chanel, reinventing classic Chanel motifs with a modern twist. Broad-shouldered peacoats and long dressing-gown-style belted coats are juxtaposed with tweed suits, box-pleated skirts, and cropped trousers, creating a harmonious blend of masculine and feminine elements. Chunky sailor sweaters and knits featuring the landscapes of Deauville are interspersed with silk blouses, low-cut tops with flounces, and jumpsuits, evoking the gentle waves and soft winds of the seaside.
The colour palette is as vibrant and varied as the ever-changing colours of the Deauville sky, which is reflected on the big screen as the show progresses, painting a breathtaking tableau of hues and textures. Pastel shades of pink, mauve, orange, and pale blue are complemented by brown and gold lamé. Prints inspired by 35mm film and cinema tickets pay homage to Deauville’s connection with the seventh art.
The collection also celebrates the iconic figures who have graced Deauville’s shores. The iconic Chanel bags, pastel-hued wide-brimmed hats, colourful silk scarves, and heeled knee-high boots pay homage to the legendary style of Anouk Aimée and other luminaries who have left their mark on the seaside resort town. Viard also recreated Anouk Aimée’s iconic shearling coat worn in the film, paired with the same toned Chanel Deauville tote bag. The platform boots seen on the runway are a design born from Viard’s sentiment for the 70s punk and David Bowie’s androgynous charm.
Hats emerge as the crowning glory at the show, paying homage to Gabrielle’s earliest career as a milliner. Channelling the resort vibe and cinematic charm of the collection, the hats exude a sense of timeless sophistication. Wide-brimmed styles, reminiscent of those favoured by Gabrielle Chanel herself, command attention with their understated elegance.
In Viard’s hands, Chanel’s FW 2024 collection becomes more than just a showcase of exquisite fashion; it is a love letter to Deauville, the place where Gabrielle Chanel’s destiny changed forever. With its layers of materials, colours, and volumes, the collection is a warm and heartfelt tribute to the timeless allure of Deauville and the enduring legacy of Chanel. It marks the best collection so far by Viard, since her takeover of the house in 2019 after the passing of the legendary Karl Lagerfeld.
After the show, all we want is to pack up all those beautiful outfits, wide-brimmed hats, punk-esque boots, and jet-set to the seaside for a movie-worthy holiday.
Read more: 10 Best Bags at the Louis Vuitton Women’s Fall/winter 2023 show.
Source: Prestige Online
