Cruising In Versailles
During the late Spring and early Summer there’s a bit of a lull in the fashion industry. Well, no, that’s not exactly right, but between cleaning up after the Fall shows, preparing the Spring lines, and attending the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute Gala and the Cannes Film Festival, fashion insiders can always look forward to the smaller, more intimate Resort shows. Like the Couture and Pre-Fall shows, Resort collections usually have fewer looks, more intimate presentations, and aren’t shown in one of the four fashion capitals – New York, London, Milan, or Paris.
This year Mr. Karl Lagerfeld presented the always glamorous, always stunning, Chanel Resort Collection in the historic, fairytale city of Versailles. He even wore a slightly different variation of his standard uniform to the show – blue & black plaid.
Cara Delevingne opened the low-key runway show in a powder blue knee-length flared dress with capsleeves, matching court shoe-inspired booties, and a bobbed blue wig. This look was indicative of the entire show, which could be almost be summed up as Marie Antoinette meets Nicki Minaj for a girls night out.
Severely cropped bobs in blues, purples, pinks, noir, and blonde were worn by the models as they walked through the fountain strewn gardens in wide-leg shorts and flowing pants, heavy, thick maxi skirts, bathing suits, and sweet knee-length dresses.
And the accessories de jour for this season’s show? Platform sneakers and oh-so-cute Chanel double C tattoos.
I really enjoyed this show, the clothes all had a dramatic quality to them, which was enticing, though not necessarily something you’d plan to wear. The heavy fabrics, brocades, and intricate detailing evoked a movie set with filled with period costumes. And somehow Karl’s (can I call you Karl?) showmanship continues to improve season after season. He’s not selling clothes here, he’s selling an idea. He’s offering up a fantasy lifestyle that brings to mind the decadence of a period long past. He’s giving us an escape. And for a few blissful minutes as we watch this show, we forget about our world of alarm clocks and deadlines and 9-5 jobs. For a few minutes we’re lost in the gorgeous fabrics, stunning colors, and dream-like scene he’s created for our entertainment.
Source, Source, Source & Source
Never to be outdone by the models the front row of a Chanel show is always just as fashionable as the runway. Last year we got the pleasure of seeing Blake Lively, Rachel Bilson, and – another one of my girl crushes – Clemence Posey. This year the attendees included Vanessa Paradis, Cecile Cassel, Laura Bailey, Alice Dellal, Ines de la Fressange, Joana Preiss, and Caroline Seiber. They wore a gorgeous collection of Chanel separates and dresses from this and previous seasons. I especially liked the heavy-looking florals and tweeds in darker shades of blue, purple, and dusty pink.
This is a great dress for such an occasion. It’s a beautiful, interesting pattern with some shine to it so she really stands out. The neckline looks really unique and pretty though, which makes me wish she’d worn her hair up so we could see it better.
A bright pink tweed shirtdress with puffy sleeves? Yes please!
French actress and singer Cécile Cassel looked phenomenal in boxy, cropped royal blue tweed jacket and flowy midi skirt. She topped her look off with wind-swept platinum locks and a modified bowler hat.
Tres chic, as they say. I like that she didn’t go for a matchy matchy blue sandal.
And fabulous was served up by the one in a million Tilda Swinton. She has a truly amazing style, its partially due to her coloring and fashion choices, and partially her confidence and that Blue Steel stare! She can wear things that no one else can. When you see something on a runway and think to yourself “no one could make that work”, she’s the one who can make it work.
Sleek, dramatic, and androgynous, but still mesmerizing and sexy.
Fierce!
Are you interested in seeing Karl Lagerfeld’s previous sartorial accomplishments? Check out his Paris Fashion Week Fall 2012, Pre-Fall 2012, Paris Fashion Week Spring 2012, and Spring 2012 Couture collections.
I’ll be back soon with more Resort 2013 collections and the fabulous Cannes Film Festival red carpet. Au revoir for now!
Chanel Resort Wear 2012
“Too much may not be enough.” These words, uttered by Karl Lagerfeld after the show, seem to sum it up perfectly.
– The backdrop? Hotel du Cap, in Antibes on the French Riviera, one of the most exclusive and expensive hotels in the world.
– The cast? All the big names from the past few seasons, Abbey Lee, Siri Tollerod, Jac, Natasha Poly, Karlie Kloss, Stella Tennant, Karolina Kurkova and Lily Donaldson, to name a few.
– The jewels? Real, darling. Of course.
– The front row? A-list fashionistas only, Blake Lively, Rachel Bilson, Alexa Chung, Vanessa Paradis, Clemence Posey, Laura Bailey and Poppy Delevigne among them.
The Chanel Resort 2012 collection began with slim, smart suits in yellow, lilac and cream, followed by black and white swimwear, cover-ups and dresses, and finally summery, hippie frocks and gowns.
While the wearability of the shin-guard inspired thong sandals is questionable, I thought that overall the show was lovely. In another life, far, far away, I can just see myself walking lazily along the water in one of these black and white swim suits, a gauzy white wrap thrown over my shoulder, or swirling regally around a ballroom in one of the crystal encrusted gowns. Right.
And the fashion didn’t stop there, off the runway the stars watched Karl’s masterpieces in their own stylish ensembles.
Clemence Posey looked adorable in a sunny dress (reminiscent of the blue one worn by Emma Roberts at the fall Chanel show) and gold heels.
Who wears short shorts? Too cute Rachel Bilson, who donned micro leather shorts, a boyfriend blazer and crocheted white top.
Blake Lively looked gorgeous and summery in a chic black and white Chanel ensemble, including a tiny skirt and sequined blazer.
Moi Contre La Vie 