Source:
https://scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-luxury/article/1922901/lagerfeld-proves-less-more-pared-back-show-and-looks-chanel
Lifestyle/ Fashion & Beauty

Lagerfeld proves less is more with pared-back show and looks for Chanel

Designer takes classic shapes and motifs and gives them a modern touch - think tweed suits and light, pretty dresses in delicious shades of pink, Coco Chanel boater hats and bowed blouses

Jing Zhang
Jing Zhang

Updated: 4:49pm, 10 Mar, 2016

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<p>Designer takes classic shapes and motifs and gives them a modern touch - think tweed suits and light, pretty dresses in delicious shades of pink, Coco Chanel boater hats and bowed blouses </p>

Karl Lagerfeld’s ready-to-wear shows for Chanel in Paris are usually wildly imaginative. Previously he’s transformed the interior of the Grand Palais into a brasserie, airport, art gallery and supermarket. This week it was quite lovely to see a pared-back space with elegant white archways and long rows of gold chairs around the catwalks.

Dutch model Maartje Verhoef presents one of the tiered lace dresses that were a feature of Lagerfeld’s Chanel collection. Photo: EPA
Dutch model Maartje Verhoef presents one of the tiered lace dresses that were a feature of Lagerfeld’s Chanel collection. Photo: EPA
Overlapping layers of pearls complemented classic Chanel tweeds. Photo: AFP
Overlapping layers of pearls complemented classic Chanel tweeds. Photo: AFP
“Front row only,” the invitations declared, and indeed everyone was in the first row despite the scale of the event, the effect recalling the couture salons of yesteryear. As for the clothes, Chanel went back to its core, with tweed skirts, suits and light, pretty dresses – all accessorised with overlapping layers of pearls. Signature camellia flowers appeared as modern prints, a classic Coco Chanel boater hat was the headwear du jour, and the popular tiered lace dresses and bowed blouses made plenty of appearances, pleasing traditional Chanel fans.
US model Gigi Hadid presents a Chanel creation at Paris’ Grand Palais. Photo: EPA
US model Gigi Hadid presents a Chanel creation at Paris’ Grand Palais. Photo: EPA
The collection was on the safe side, but it also allowed Lagerfeld to distil the house codes and show them off in a chic, modern way; we especially loved the outfits in ruby, pale rose and raspberry. An angelic white dress was embroidered with the CC logo and a black, one-shoulder dress with feathered skirt were standouts among the evening wear. As Chanel shows, pared-back can sometimes be a good thing in the overhyped and gimmicky world of fashion.