CHANEL's Fall 2024 Haute Couture show was nothing short of an ethereal experience, transporting us into the heart of the 19th-century Parisian grandeur at Palais Garnier, where the bourgeoisie mingle in the opulent ambiance of the opera. Guests were perched in the crimson velvet opera boxes, meticulously designed by French director Christophe Honoré, as they observed models gliding through corridors in rich velvet, taffeta, and duchesse satin. The collection also marked the House's first presentation since former creative director Virginie Viard’s departure earlier this month.

The collection ...

Viard’s last collection for Spring 2024 drew inspiration from Gabrielle Chanel’s designs for the 1924 ballet Le Train Bleu, but Autumn 2024’s palette shifted to deeper hues of black, gold, silver, and jewel tones.

The collection was a celebration of classic CHANEL elegance, with an abundance of bouclé suits, some adorned with tassels, cabochons, and braids, cut just above the knee. Long black dresses made a bold statement, often accompanied by majestic coats and opera capes, reminiscent of the grand days of Palais Garnier. The opening look – a floor-length cape over a bodysuit – nodded to the sportswear CHANELl once designed for Nijinska’s ballet.

Opera and ballet inspirations wove through the collection with tulle tutus and black swan feathers gracing fitted jackets. A white blouse with ruffled cuffs and a peplum top with cuffed pantaloons subtly evoked the pantomime character Pierrot. The grand finale was the CHANEL bride, Australian model Angelina Kendall, clad in a dreamy ballgown complete with puffed sleeves, flowing train, and a bodice adorned with camellias, perfectly fit for an opera diva like Madame Butterfly or Lucia di Lammermoor.

The location ...

Yet, the choice of Palais Garnier—a venue steeped in the arts—echoed CHANEL's timeless bond with French culture. This wasn’t just a runway; it was a homage. CHANEL's patronage of the Opéra national de Paris and Ballet de l’Opéra underscored the Maison's artistic continuity.

The guests ...

Plenty of friends of the House were in attendance at the Palace Garnier – from ambassadors like Kiera Knightley and Michelle Williams to newcomers like Sadie Sink and Greta Gerwig. Daisy Jones and the Six star Camilla Morrone was on site, as was legendary musician Nile Rogers. Other notable attendees Naomi Campell, Vanessa Paradis, Zhou Xun, Caroline de Maigret, Olivia Dean, Margaret Zhang and Griff