From the iconic pieces and styles brands have, to the Parisian ateliers and one-of-a-kind handmade gowns; I have always been obsessed with high-fashion. To me, no other name says classic, beautiful and high-fashion like Chanel does.
Chanel has been one of the most beloved and iconic names in fashion since it was created by the fabulous Coco Chanel in 1909. The luxury brand is known for its quilted bags with chain shoulder straps, two-tone slingback shoes, faux pearls, tweed jackets, and of course, the little black dress.
Although Chanel is known for the simplicity of its designs, that doesn’t stop them from creating fabulous and over-the-top pieces for their annual haute couture fashion shows.
These luxurious events are almost always held at the Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées, a massive exhibition hall, and a museum that was built in 1897. The Grand Palais is an incredibly ornate building with a beautiful, high glass ceiling that brightens the entire interior.
The most iconic shows that Chanel has hosted here are:
A French country house, named Villa Chanel, complete with blue skies, full landscaping, ponds, and palm trees for the 2019 spring/summer show.
A magical forest with massive trees, water features, and a ground covered in leaves in all shades of fall for its 2018 autumn/winter show.
For the spring/summer 2018 show, Chanel created a huge cliff with multiple waterfalls flowing off of it, caves that the models emerged from onto wooden walkways over what appeared to be a river.
My personal favorite and one of the most impressive sets to date was an entire beach that featured sand, lapping waves, palm trees, and a lifeguard tower. The models joyously walked down the beach carrying their shoes in hand.
Chanel and other brands like it host these magical shows several times a year to showcase their latest work and to most importantly create buzz around their brand. The lucky people who get to attend these shows are carefully selected celebrities, fashion influencers, socialites, and fashion reporters. Attendees are usually dressed from head-to-toe in the brand, and those who get the privilege of sitting front row are usually given special pieces to wear for the show.
Onlookers document the entire event and review the clothing and their experience for the world to hear. That’s why Chanel goes to such extremes to create unique sets that will capture the attention of the fashion world.
Events like these are important for capturing the attention of media without having to pay people to write stories or feature your brand. The more extreme and unique an event is, the more attention it is going to get. Chanel knows this and works hard every season to top itself and create new experiences to capture a part of the competitive fashion conversation.
Images by Glow Repose on Unsplash and from Wikipedia by sanchezn.