Cinematic Tribute: Chanel Transports Paris to Deauville for Fashion Week

Chanel mesmerised Paris Fashion Week attendees with a cinematic homage, blurring the lines between fashion and film. Set in a fictional Deauville, a black-and-white short film starring Brad Pitt and Penélope Cruz immersed the audience in Chanel’s heritage. Designer Virginie Viard skillfully blended the 1920s elegance of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel with ’70s drama, recreating the founder’s gender-fluid style from her winter retreats by the sea. Deauville, a pivotal influence on Viard’s fall aesthetic, played a central role in Chanel’s evolution from millinery to fashion icon.

Viard’s collection recreated the essence of Deauville with sailor sweaters, belted coats, and vibrant hues reflecting the town’s romantic skies. Despite the poetic narrative and finely crafted coats, the abundance of accessories occasionally overshadowed the garments, clouding Viard’s vision.

Louis Vuitton celebrated Nicolas Ghesquière’s 10-year tenure with an emotionally charged show. Amid futuristic décor at the Louvre, Ghesquière presented a collection merging seasonal trends with a decade of fashion evolution. His signature time-travelling style juxtaposed historical references with futuristic visions, resulting in a display of structured jackets and opulent fur garments. The collection, while occasionally lacking thematic clarity, showcased Ghesquière’s talent for blending couture with streetwise sensibility.

Miu Miu’s fall collection playfully explored the transition from childhood to adulthood, blending elegance with playful defiance. Inspired by the movie “Big,” Miuccia Prada juxtaposed cropped sleeves and rounded-toe shoes with exaggerated proportions, symbolising the journey into maturity. Miu Miu’s creations embodied a youthful spirit, challenging traditional fashion norms with unexpected styling choices.

The fashion world also witnessed activism as actress Célyne Durand protested the use of exotic skins outside the Louis Vuitton show. Despite arrests, the message against animal cruelty resonated across Paris Fashion Week, echoing the industry’s evolving ethos.

Paris Fashion Week Fall-Winter 2024 proved to be a blend of cinematic fantasy, emotional retrospection, and playful defiance, shaping the future of fashion with each runway stride.