Taking his resort 2008 concept, in which models deplaned onto the runway, one step further, Karl Lagerfeld turned the Grand Palais into a Chanel Airlines terminal for the house’s show on Tuesday. As always, he was impeccably on theme, meaning that there was a departures and arrivals board that listed “flights” to Shanghai, Salzburg, and other past Chanel show destinations. (That motif also made its way into a fabric print.)
The collection was full of ‘80s prints that winked at airport seat patterns, and little touches like airplane-shaped brooches, reminiscent of those given to retro frequent-fliers. But there was no schleppy airport style to be found here — despite the backward baseball caps, denim motifs, and waist-knotted sweaters that were so prevalent, most of the 100 looks on display would probably be too formal for a long-haul flight.
Just like in a real terminal, the models rolled their Chanel suitcases down the runway — though the thick chain necklaces were hardly TSA-friendly.
They wore blue blocker-style sunglasses, or simply blue makeup in the shape of sunglasses.
The front row included a mary jane–clad Cara Delevingne, Hudson Kroenig (who was in full pilots’ regalia), Janelle Monaé, Lily-Rose Depp (and mom Vanessa Paradis).
There were witty accessories, like bracelets that resembled the Kaiser’s signature fingerless gloves.
And what better to light up the aisles of a nighttime flight than light-up hiking sandals? Consider them the haute love child of Tevas and L.A. Gear.