“I like this similarity of spirit between us, now and across time,” says Virginie Viard. Her SS22 couture show was inspired by the avant-garde movements of the 1920s and 1930s, when Coco Chanel was at her zenith. The period fascinates Viard, just as it did her predecessor, Karl Lagerfeld.

She worked with the artist Xavier Veilhan to create a dramatic, sculptural show-space. “His references to constructivism remind me of those [designs] of Karl Lagerfeld,” notes Viard, whose collection was created in response to its dynamic angles and curves. “These geometric shapes made me want contrasts, a great lightness and a freshness; ethereal dresses that float as if suspended. Lots of flounces, fringes, macramé, bright lace, iridescent tweeds, colourful jewelled buttons,” says the designer of her hand-crafted pieces.

The result – a focused femininity that never strayed into froth – was a 21st-century iteration of the codes laid down by Coco. “These references also belong to Gabrielle [Coco] Chanel of course,” said Viard. “It’s a conversation that crosses time.”

From Issue 68 of 10 Magazine UK – FUTURE, BALANCE, HEALING – out now.

chanel.com

CHANEL COUTURE SS22: ABSTRACT IDEA

Date JANUARY 25, 2022
Location GRAND PALAIS ÉPHÉMÈRE, PARIS
Photographer ALFREDO PIOLA
Text CLAUDIA CROFT
Models JAN BAIBOON at Supreme Management, YILAN HUA at The Face Paris, MIJO MIHALJCIC and CLARA DENISON at Elite Paris,
VIVIENNE ROHNER at NEXT Paris and AKON CHANGKOU at Woman 360 Paris
Casting ALEXANDRE JUNIOR CYRIEN at Creartvt