Matthieu Blazy Is Building a Dream at Chanel
Huge cranes towered over the runway as weightless dresses floated alongside trompe l’oeil tweeds for FW26.
Last season, Matthieu Blazy made his Chanel debut, and it’s already going down in history. With such a strong entry into his role as creative director, many were waiting with bated breath to see if he could keep the success going for his sophomore collection. Blazy did, in fact, deliver.
The label transformed the Grand Palais into a construction site with huge cranes towering over the runway, lit up in primary colors. The designer shared, “I was interested in the idea of building a dream, a work in progress.” Taking the signature house codes, but with a determination to remove anything old-fashioned, Blazy is busy transforming Chanel into something refreshed for the next generation, yet still quintessentially Chanel. The house’s 1920s drop waist designs were dotted throughout the collection, but balanced by the more contemporary pieces, such as blouson jackets. This is for the modern Chanel woman.
Weightless dresses floated down the runway alongside trompe l’oeil tweeds and shimmering lurex slips, vibrant with embroidery. The impressive surroundings almost didn’t do the designs justice, as the level of detail and craftsmanship was made to be admired up close, touched and worn. Blazy closed the show by giving a final nod to Coco, who is credited with the innovation of the little black dress. This one was understated, cut in a simple jersey fabric and seemingly plain from the front, but turn around and you’d see a low back topped with a camellia between the shoulder blades. Quiet and unpretentious, but hugely impactful, we can safely say, Chanel is in good hands.
Check out some of the looks above.
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