To be invited to dine with fashion’s elite is not an every day occurrence. But today, creative director Karl Lagerfeld opened the doors to his Chanel-themed restaurant for autumn/winter 2015 in Paris’ Grand Palais.
By Susan Devaney
It’s Chanel’s first collection in as many seasons where the aura of Mademoiselle Coco Chanel could truly be felt. From the ceiling to the floor to the clothes, her stylish spirit was evident. Season after season, Lagerfeld has dabbled with the unknown and decisively moved away from the founder’s original vision. He’s even previously stated she would be turning in her grave had she witnessed it: ‘what I’ve done, Coco Chanel would never have done. She would have hated it’ – but not today.
Brasserie Gabrielle welcomed its customers to sit and dine, the French way. Polished floors, opulent wood and fine food were in abundance. The Café Society of the Roaring Twenties was back in full swing – with the handsome Baptiste Giabiconi acting as bartender. Karl’s models and muses Kendall Jenner and Cara Delevingne took to the runway in monochrome ensembles. As this colour palette extended across fabrics, houndtooth prints and plaid patterns were played with. The sharp tailoring of the classic two-piece suit found its sleeves adorned in puffer-like texture. Long Twenties’ style necklaces hung from necks as waists were nipped in and jackets were flung across shoulders. The classic Chanel pump was given a block heel and added sling back.
A feel for the Fifties could be seen with the make-up as it was given a Bridgette Bardot-esque cat eye flick of sombre black eyeliner, accompanied with Fifties-style understated black headbands.
After strutting the runway models made their way to the table to sit, chat and dine together. The pièce de résistance? The overwhelmingly feathered coat. It will be seen across every possible photographic medium come winter – and every high society restaurant.
