Chanel Returns to Grand Palais with Birdcage-Themed Paris Fashion Week Show
The iconic French fashion house, Chanel, made a triumphant return to the Grand Palais in Paris on Tuesday, showcasing a birdcage-themed collection that paid homage to its founder Gabrielle Chanel’s fascination with birds and flight. The show marked the brand’s first appearance at the historic venue in four years, and it did not disappoint.
The Grand Palais, which has been refurbished with a 30-million-euro deal, was transformed into a giant aviary, complete with a white birdcage at its center. The collection featured a range of ensembles, from tweeds to lacy flapper dresses and flying jackets, all adorned with feathers and plumes. The show was a nod to Chanel’s iconic bird on a swing advert from 1992, which starred French singer Vanessa Paradis.
The birdcage theme was also a knowing nod to Chanel’s founder, Gabrielle Chanel, who was known for her love of birds. The show featured a range of designs, from ruff-like collars on crocheted bombers to 1920s-style gowns inspired by the glamour of French writer Colette’s forays into musical hall and cabaret.
The show came just a day after British designer Stella McCartney lamented the "billions of birds killed for the fashion industry" at her own bird-themed Paris show. However, Chanel’s show seemed to focus more on celebrating the beauty and wonder of birds, rather than their exploitation.
Chanel’s creative director, Bruno Pavlovsky, told AFP that the brand would not be rushed into finding a replacement for Virginie Viard, who left the company in June after 30 years at the helm. Pavlovsky emphasized the importance of taking time to make the right decisions, saying, "You should not have a knife at our throat if you are going to make the right choices."
The show was a bold statement from Chanel, which is facing uncertain times in the fashion industry. With big luxury Paris houses seeing profits fall as Chinese buyers button their purses, Pavlovsky said it was "the time for us to bounce back." He added that the brand’s strength lies in its ability to take its time and make thoughtful decisions, saying, "We are just at the end of a cycle and the brand must start a new one."
The show was a celebration of Chanel’s heritage and its commitment to quality and craftsmanship. With its birdcage-themed collection, the brand has once again proved its ability to push boundaries and create something truly unique and memorable.
