For its Fall-Winter 2025/26 Ready-to-Wear collection, Chanel (Instagram) delivers a masterclass in theatrical elegance. Under the glass roof of the Grand Palais, scenographer Willo Perron transforms the space into a world of dreamlike illusions. Here, the iconic house codes—tweed, pearls, bows—take centre4 stage but in unexpected, exaggerated proportions. Chanel’s play on scale and layering invites a new vision of femininity, one that is both classic and avant-garde.
Chanel’s latest collection toys with length, size, and proportion. A mini jacket in blue, white, and pink pairs with trousers that cascade to the floor, while an oversized poplin shirt grazes the ankles. A timeless little black tweed jacket morphs into a flowing coatdress adorned with jewel-like buttons. Even capes take on a new dimension, their ends subtly transforming into jacket cuffs.
Bows, ribbons, pearls, and floral motifs—some of Chanel’s most beloved elements—are reinterpreted on an extravagant scale. Oversized bows grace collars, cuffs, and ankle-length quilted ensembles, while a striking white ribbon winds around a black sweater, culminating in a bold shoulder bow. Heels crafted from a single pearl and a crossbody bag designed to mimic an oversized pearl necklace elevate accessories to statement status.
Trompe-l’oeil techniques breathe life into the collection’s layering. A three-piece grenadine tweed ensemble juxtaposes a micro-jacket lined with red silk, a wrap skirt, and flared trousers. Another look in bronzed hues pairs a tunic with trousers and a buttoned skirt overlay. Delicate transparency plays a role, too, with black tulle capes floating over tweed suits, and sheer white shirts enveloping tailored jacket dresses, creating a mesmerizing illusion of movement.
Chanel introduces an ethereal mix of textures—denim rendered in chiffon, silk woven to resemble tweed, and organza transformed into hooded parkas adorned with bows. Wool lace trench coats, 3D petal plastrons on black sweaters, and ruffled collars reminiscent of flower corollas add to the collection’s dreamy aesthetic. Footwear is equally enchanting, with sock-ankle boots and satin detailing enhancing each step with graceful elegance.
In true Chanel fashion, this collection is an exquisite interplay of craftsmanship and imagination. It embraces the romance of fashion’s past while redefining the codes of modern luxury. Whether through cascading layers, surreal proportions, or poetic embellishments, Chanel’s Fall-Winter 2025/26 Ready-to-Wear collection proves that elegance is a matter of perception—and illusion is the new reality.
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