Fashion shows at their best can be exciting, but a fashion show by couture maestro Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel is a draw-dropping spectacular in another league.
Added to that the king of the castle wearing tartan, and it doesn’t get much better.
Set that event in the magnificent Chateau de Versailles in Paris, an enchanted garden surrounded by water fountains (not normally open to the public) seated tents reminiscent of those filled with courtiers during the reign of Louis XVI, and you have the Chanel Cruise Collections 2012/13.
The show was attended by a host of Chanel lovers such as Karl’s long-time friend Vanessa Paradis and our very own Tilda Swinton.
Lagerfeld and Vanessa Paradis (Getty)
Chanel presented a Marie Antoinette-inspired collection of tweed palazzo pants, pale denim pedal pushers and feminine dresses with accentuated hips, complemented with dazzling chokers.
Socialite and model Cara Delevingne opened the show in a wonderful fringed hairpiece, styled by Scot Sam McKnight (winner of Scottish Fashion Awards Hall of Fame in 2008).
Sam styled some 70 or so models who all sported the same bob in a variety of pastel hues.
There is undoubtedly a youthfulness to this collection, playing on the Marie Antoinette looks, but the wide trousers, pantaloons, ruffles, embellishments and glorious accessories make one think of 21st century rock stars. Screen icons whose style is avant garde - as opposed to ladies who lunch.
I was particularly delighted at the juxtaposition of the elegant couture dress paired with double-soled creepers (the wedged looking shoe that is the hottest item on the high street right now).
I am sure the Chanel boutiques will be flooded with requests for those little beauties which incidentally come in a variety of coloured leathers like silver, gold, and stripped pastel pinks and blues. One can hardly contain oneself.
Lagerfield seems to draw from the enviable history of the brand with its traditional tweeds and pearls, and yet surprises us with the modern take and delivery of a rock ‘n’ roll heroine.
Speaking of rock ‘n’ roll, Alice Dellal (another Karl muse) and her band closed the show, confirming King Karl’s penchant for heavy metal - matched by a penchant for tartan shown with his choice of a tartan tie.
This collection is quite simply magnificent in every respect - see my favourite ensembles below.
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