Virginie Viard Captures the Chanel Spirit for FW21
“I thought of the shows that Karl would tell me about, back in the day, a long time ago, when the models would dress themselves and do their own make-up.”
With Digital Fashion Month coming to an end, Chanel has just showcased its anticipated Fall/Winter 2021 collection which draws inspiration from the luxury house’s old shows. “This collection is a mix of two influences: the ambiance of ski holidays, which I adore, and a certain idea of cool Parisian chic, from the 1970s to now,” explained Virginie Viard, also adding that she was hugely inspired by Karl Lagerfeld, and the old shows he used to tell her about, referencing “a long time ago, when the models would dress themselves and do their own make-up.”
“I love contrasts, so for the more voluminous winter pieces, I wanted a small space,” she also noted, bringing the show to Castel. There’s a sensuality to the location, as well as the collection, which plays on contrasts and embraces Chanel’s traditional house codes. Tweed reigns supreme in true Chanel fashion, with coats and suits in deep hues like burgundy, navy blue and brown at the forefront. One model wears a long tweed coat with bare legs and boots in black faux fur, another play on Virginie Viard’s contrasts. 70s-inspired dresses and colorways also take the stage towards the end of the collection, sporting the label’s iconic CC logo as well as the signature number “5.”
No one does accessories quite like Chanel, and this time around we see logo belts, sequinned ballet flats, layered necklaces and a lipstick-holder necklace, wide-brimmed hats and of course, bags. Sequinned iterations with a long strap are shown with monochrome suits, as well as small quilted leather designs in pink and black, iridescent purple and blue.
“Today some of these silhouettes make me think of Stella Tennant’s allure, the way she wore certain pieces, it was so Chanel,” Virginie ends, honoring the late model Stella Tennant who passed away in December 2020. Take a look at the Fall/Winter 2021 collection in the gallery above.
