chanel fw 19/20 show - a tribute to karl?

Paris’ Grand Palais was transformed into a magical winter wonderland for Karl Lagerfeld’s last collection for Chanel, which was co-designed with Virginie Viard. The peaceful setting was beautifully decorated with snow-topped chalets and trees.

The show opened with one minute of silence to pay respect to the fashion genius, Karl Lagerfeld, who sadly passed away just weeks before the show, best remembered as the creative director of Chanel, where he elevated the brand to become one of the world's biggest, most powerful luxury brands. 

Lagerfeld did not wish to have a public memorial, so the tributes to Chanel's former leader were subtle. Tucked inside the show notes was an illustration by Lagerfeld of himself and the late Coco Chanel, the two people most associated with the brand. "The beat goes on..." was engraved across the top in Lagerfeld's writing, leaving people wondering if he left this in preparation for the time of his own passing.

Cara Delevingne opened the show, a fitting choice due to her close relationship with the late Lagerfeld. A surprise on the runway was Penelope Cruz, the most recent face of Chanel, who took a turn in an all-white look holding a single white rose in the designer's memory. No one came out to take a final bow on behalf of the team, marking Lagerfeld's absence even more profoundly.

I absolutely loved the SS19 Ready to wear set - at the beach, I thought it was beautiful and so magic, and even just looking at videos and photos from the show makes me feel warm! But this show I absolutely loved!! Something about snow just feels magical anyway but this feels next level! And I genuinely love the garments and styling! The range of neutrals feel so on trend and the splash of really colourful garments life full Fuschia suits were devine! I loved the bold patters on pattern, for example in the suit Cara was wearing, it just works! And the ruffled half blouse/scarf-esque items adds a balance! This eye catching item against the snowy white outfits, such as the one Penelope Cruz wore, just worked. Combining tradition masculine shapes with femininity to create a merely androgynous collection.

I came across these images on Chanel'`s Instagram story and I absolutely loved them, I feel like it's a really exciting was of capturing the range of colours and patterns that were showcased but also, particularly the final walk shots of all the models just really show the Chanel family, and make them feel like a really caring and inviting brand.

Visual wise I really like the images and I think they're so exciting because theres so many different people to look at, and different outfits you notice every time you look at them! This collection of images reminds me of 'Me & My Human' - Aerial photo by Vincent LaForet looking down at Ice Skaters in NYC'. The blocks of colours and silhouettes are really effective.

I do however think that if it wasn't for Karls passing just days before the show that there wouldn't have been such feeling of solidarity in the show, but never the less it was both powerful and moving to see.