Free-spirited beauty took a decidedly punk turn at today’s Chanel resort 2022 show in the village of Les Baux-de-Provence. Inside the cavernous chambers of the Carrières de Lumières, which were once the setting of Jean Cocteau’s The Testament of Orpheus, artistic director Virginie Viard presented a collection inspired by the iconic black-and-white film, sending miniskirts, fringed dresses, graphic suits, and abbreviated capes down the runway with toughened-up accessories such as fishnet stockings, dog collars and leather holster belts strapped to the thigh. The punk references were all the more distinct above the neck. Most strikingly, the late Stella Tennant served as inspiration for lip piercing jewellery, with a handful of models flashing double Cs along their lower lip.
Make-up artist Lucia Pica played up the punk attitude with sculpted complexions, some models receiving swirls of bright red blush draped along the eyes and upper cheekbones, dewy lips, and inky, razor-sharp cat-eye flicks that heightened the drama of each gaze. There were a medley of edgy hair looks crafted by hairstylist Damien Boissinot as well.
In what must be another ode to Tennant, there were an array of choppy, swooping pixies and bobs that tactfully fell over one eye. On the other side of the spectrum were voluminous, razored fringed waves and clouds of curls, many of which were parted deep to one side and topped off with a single glimmering barrette or a jagged plume accessory. No matter what combination of the reimagined punk beauty codes each model sported, the results were inspiring for the rebels among us. Railing against the system, even with just a radical chop or smoky smudges of eyeliner, feels more cathartic than ever.
