Though Chanel is known for its elaborate sets, transforming the Grand Palais in Paris into everything from a seaside with sand and lapping waves to a snow-covered winter village, the latest couture collection put the designs into full focus. Without an audience in attendance due to social-distancing guidelines, the collection was presented digitally as a lookbook photographed by Mikael Jansson instead of a runway show. But if you’re still looking for opulence, you’ll find it in the designs by Virginie Viard.
In a bit of an homage to Karl Lagerfeld, she infused his signature rock-romanticism—voluminous gowns with stacks of rings and fuchsia tweed with smudged eyeliner. "I was thinking about a punk princess coming out of ‘Le Palace’ at dawn,” said Viard in a press release. "With a taffeta dress, big hair, feathers and lots of jewelry. This collection is more inspired by Karl Lagerfeld than Gabrielle Chanel. Karl would go to ‘Le Palace,’ he would accompany these very sophisticated and very dressed up women, who were very eccentric too.”
Among the 30 looks were five things we predict will influence fashion in 2020. Read on for the highlights from the Chanel Haute Couture F/W 20 collection.
LEGGINGS ARE GETTING A POLISHED MAKEOVER
Classic leggings are a staple we're seeing in wardrobes everywhere, but thanks to Viard, we predict that fashion insiders will be wearing them in chic, updated ways. Paired with a tailored jacket, they immediately read as polished.
MAXI HEMLINES ARE HERE TO STAY
From dresses to denim skirts, we've seen a huge uptick in maxi hemlines recently, and there's no sign that the popularity of the silhouette is slowing down. As we move toward fall, look for dramatic, voluminous silhouettes.
SAY HELLO TO SOPHISTICATED MATCHING SETS
From sweatsuits to loungewear, matching sets have been on the rise in 2020. Looking to the months ahead, we'll be seeing a return to tailoring and luxe materials like tweed. And if you'd rather wear the pieces on their own, this tailored jacket is the perfect piece to pair with streamlined leggings.
Shop the matching Lyric Mini Skirt ($158).
Shop the matching Neon Boucle Skirt Suit ($39).
LACE-UP SHOES ARE THE ACCESSORY TREND TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Chanel always ushers in the latest shoe trends, and we immediately took notice of the romantic lace-up shoes models were wearing in the collection. It's only a matter of time before these are everywhere.
2020 MARKS THE RETURN OF THE DRAMATIC EYE
When it comes to makeup, eyes are back in full focus with beauty looks taking inspiration from punk. To replicate the showstopping smudged cat eye, use the Calligraphie de Chanel Longwear Intense Cream Eyeliner along the upper and bottom lashlines. For the gilded lids, use the buildable Ombre Première Laque Longwear Liquid Eyeshadow for instant shimmer.
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