Things We Loved About Chanel's SS18 Show!

On Tuesday morning, as the scale of tragedy in Las Vegas as one of the worst mass shootings in the history of the United States sunk in, Karl Lagerfeld provided some beauty in the shadow of darkness, by presenting the SS18 collection for Chanel in the vast environs of the Grand Palais. A faux cliff almost fifty feet high loomed over a river canyon (the designer wanted to recreate the luxuriant rocks of Gorges du Verdon, located in the South-East of France), six waterfalls streaming down its side into a placid green flow over which a wooden footbridge wound its way. Leafy trees and grass peeked over the edges and around the banks and out of the caves in the cliff’s side – welcome to alternate reality.

Image Courtesy: IMAXTREE

The designer delivered outfits with fabrics – tweeds, laces, knits – shot with metallic to glisten and change with movement and subtle shifts of light, sheer-openwork constructions, some suggesting ripples, others; fishnet cellophane fringe and abstract watery prints. There were metallic windowpane plaid, leather and tweed shorts, Peter-Pan-collared, broad-shouldered 80s jackets accompanied by a series of iridescent tulle frocks, adding an extra sheen from head to tow. Softly fringed knitwear looked like lush forest foliage whereas sunrise-coloured lurex mini and evening dresses were embroidered with aquatic motifs and teardrop pearls. The spray of sunlight sparkled on clear plastic coats, capes, caplets and fingerless gloves; the house’s iconic tweeds fluttered with fringes or were reduced to almost transparent cages. Keeping in line with the aquatic theme - perspex earrings, two-toned rain boots in vinyl, scallop shell edges - but the essential silhouette of many looks in this collection was recognisably that of the founder in her neat skirt, low block heels and a straight-brimming hat. A move towards beachwear became evident when shades of azure sea, peacock blue, aquamarine and cerulean were seen on delicate chiffon maxi dresses, halter-necked and clasped at the waist with a bright glittery brooch. They gave a whiff of summer holiday.

Image Courtesy: CHANEL

At a time when digitisation is everywhere, Karl Lagerfeld – the great fashion alchemist - came through as an artist with colour and pattern, which has been such a defining part of his career. But more than that, he created a universe to which he belongs and the wide world of fashion wants him to join.

Image Courtesy: CHANEL

Meanwhile, Mother Nature played hand in hand with the Chanel mood beautifully. It may only have been a set, but at one point (browsing through the images on my screen), as the sun came out, a real rainbow appeared, in the waterfall, humanity’s or rather Karl’s biblical symbol of hope for the future.