10-word show review: A combination of ’80s fitness and the Californian-cool girl
Designer: Virginie Viard
Location: Paramount Pictures, 5555 Melrose Avenue
The vision: Nestled within the heart of Melrose Avenue is Paramount Pictures. Given the historical relationship between Mademoiselle Gabrielle Chanel and Tinseltown, Chanel’s cruise 2024 show felt like a full circle moment. Once guests were seated stadium-style on the grounds of Paramount, the fitness era of the late ‘80s came alive as hot shorts, midriffs and leg warmers opened one of the sexiest shows designed by Virginie Viard to date.
The vibe: A mix of easy-listening hits piped through the speakers as guests were ushered into what looked like a football ring washed in Chanel’s classic heaping of black and white. Celebrities were aplenty, too. Just as American rapper Snoop Dogg and his family took their seats, the show opened to the trippy beats of ‘Madame Hollywood’ by Felix Da Housecat. The lyrics were fitting: “Everybody wants to be in Hollywood, the fame, the vanity, the glitz, the stories…”.
The style: The youthful trappings of athleisure underscored the show as racy hot shorts coupled with rhinestones, leotards, jumpsuits and leg warmers set the tone. Think: Jane Fonda’s fitness videos from the ’80s meeting the vicarious lifestyle of a true blue Californian girl. Ultra-cropped proportions were paired alongside mid-length coats and cardigans that had a sprightly swing to them. White ankle boots came with a light-up heel, hinting at the collection’s rave appeal. And then there were the show-stopping accessories. Case in point? The classic flap washed in gold and turned into a mini backpack; miles of chains spun around necks with palm trees, motel key rings and roller skates as trinkets; and finally, a clutch that was made to look like a surf van, causing quite a stir from the crowd.
What to shop from the collection: It has got to be those cute black tweed shorts with rhinestones as trimmings from the opening look (Look 1) and those corset bustier tops that have the potential of offering multitudes of styling options—be it worn over a simple tank or a billowing shirt (Look 10). As cool as those rave-worthy light-up boots are, I would strongly suggest going for the white Mary Janes with the black bow just because it has the right amount of girlish charm without being overbearingly sweet (Look 20). Lest we forget the classic tweed jacket, it now comes textured with hot pink camellias resembling garlands sprouting from the lapel (Look 23). In fact, there was so much for everyone this evening that if I could pick just that one full look that offers not just a great update to your wardrobe but also, mileage, it would have to be Look 29 which sees a pink co-ord set paired with degrade denim shorts. I liked it so much that I didn’t even mind the pink leg warmers that went with it.
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Look 1, Chanel cruise 2024
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Look 3, Chanel cruise 2024
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Look 10, Chanel cruise 2024
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Look 20, Chanel cruise 2024
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Look 23, Chanel cruise 2024
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Look 29, Chanel cruise 2024
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Look 32, Chanel cruise 2024
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