Chanel: Paris Bombay Pre-Fall 2012

"It's much more inspiring not to go to places than to go" 
Karl Lagerfeld on India, a place which he has never been but is clearly captivated by, judging by the Chanel Pre-Fall 2012 show in Paris. So much inspired was he, that the show was aptly titled "Paris Bombay" effortlessly capturing the collection's merge of the two cities. The Grand Palais was transformed into a feast for the eyes, and literally for the lucky spectators, as the catwalk was bordered by a lavishly decorated, parallel banquet. An occasion fit for a raja, perhaps?

What a wonderful collection this was. All senses are evoked simply by beholding the stunning images. The feel of silk saris against the skin in explosions of golds, burnt oranges, brilliant magenta's, the colour of the sweltering, setting sun. Exotic spices and inscences invade the nostrils and is that your mind just playing tricks on you or do you really hear the enticing melody from a snake charmer's pungi? Lagerfeld invites us to visit the enigmatic country of our dreams without booking a flight. We get to experience a culture so very different from our own, with very Indian characteristics featured throughout the collection; turbans adorning the men's heads, extravagant headpieces, humble sandals and ethnic jewelry. 


The contrast between Western and Eastern culture is simply divine, as typical Chanel tweeds, luxe jackets and accessorizing of pearls are littered throughout to create the culture fusion. The very "un Chanel" black rimmed eyes and dreaded updo's signify this as a step in a new direction for Chanel, without losing it's signature aspects.
Such a beautiful collection. I shall be dreaming in a vision of the mysterious far east tonight.

       

                                         

Chanel Spring Summer 2012 @ Paris Fashion Week

You are cordially invited

Please forgive me for my use of a terrible pun, but there was definitely something fishy going on with the Chanel S/S 2012 collection at Paris Fashion Week.This show was too perfect to escape a blog post. Hosted under the glass-domed roof of the Grand Palais, it was very much under the sea (I hope you're all humming that for the rest of the day now) with a very tranquil looking catwalk which was the length of two football pitches; an underwater inspired paradise with clumps of seaweed, shells and "bubbles".

One by one, the models began to emerge from a bubble-infested cavern. The first few monochrome outfits are pretty basic - knee length skirts, structured shape and practical. A minute or so in and we start to get a taster of the pastels that seem to be so popular for Spring/Summer, after Daphne Groeneveld, in a glitter adorned white ensemble - the perfection being that it doesn't end up looking tacky. When they zoomed in on her, that's when I noticed, all the model's had pearls adorning their slicked back hair. A cute, fitting accompaniment to the underwater theme.

The outfits were very much sea inspired, the shapes and patterns reminded me very much of fish; the use of metallics symbolizing the metallic sheen of a fish, the criss crossed patterns that resemble a fish's scales, chiffon skirts flaring at the bottom recreating the shape of a fish's tail.
A fusion of very 90's transparent, plastic rain coats, chiffon, florals, metallics, and of course, the trademark tweed jackets and quilted, chain bags.
As if this wasn't a spectacle for the lucky front-rowers, the life sized clam opened itself up to reveal Florence Welch, concealed inside. Welch proceeded to sing What the Water Gave Me (another cleverly suiting addition) looking like a modern day, Chanel-clad Venus, while the models continued their rounds along the "seafloor".

On the beauty side, were pearlescent nails with matching eyeshadow and natural groomed brows. It was a very metallic affair, and natural like the sea itself.
All in all, a very cutesy, mermaid inspired show. My favourite was the minty coloured outfit worn by Lindsey Wixon.

I don't know about any of you, but this show was most aesthetic to behold. Ya done good, Lagerfeld.