Chanel Hints at the Future
The idea of the future and the possibilities of it was intriguing to more than one designer this fashion month, as the not so subtle hints, were showcased at the last show this fashion month.
The creative director of Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, described the vision of his new FW17/18 collection as a 'journey through the stars, following in the wake of the astronaut Thomas Pesquet.’ The collection itself showed an ‘astronaut-ic’ theme with over sized silver backpacks and glittery silver knee high boots. The theme was refreshingly different from traditional couture shows with notes of other worldly style, figuratively and literally. Lagerfeld incorporated his starry theme perfectly with Chanel’s traditional silhouettes and cuts. From blazers with silver woven into the iconic Chanel tweed, to two-tone metallic-black gloves and thick, silver chokers. Many models feature Shiny metallic greens, electric blue fabrics flashing bits of black tweed. Giving the collection a modern feel without taking away Chanel's own essence. Small details such as the collars were constructed to look similar to those of an astronauts, gave classic looks a modern edge. Lagerfeld even designed his own take on the space blanket which models wore around their shoulders imprinted in Chanel's tweed.
The collection included a few men’s looks, with champagne hued sweaters, cream blazers and white pants, a stark contrast from the women’s. The venue of the show was the Grand Palais, however transformed from its usual emblematic interior to a runway around a Chanel space craft which at the end of the show, took off.
Over the years Chanel has continued to evolve keeping their style aligned with the times, though never letting go of their signature classical silhouettes. With themes like airports, a data centre, space travel, and melange of foreign destinations Chanel has established itself in this generation as much as when it was first came to be in the 1920's. As Karl Lagerfeld mentioned it simply that 'fashion is about change and the evolution of the world'. Like any art form, fashion resonates with its own time and the need for evolution as the times change is what keeps it relevant.
**Photo Credit: www.Vogue.com