Simply Abu Dhabi XXVIII

CHANEL “The criteria of beauty in ancient, then classical, Greece still holds true. There have never been more beautiful representations of women. Or more beautiful columns. The entire Renaissance, in fact, was based on antiquity. It is really about the youth of the world in all its power and unpredictability – just like the unforgiving gods,” declares the Paris- based creative director, artist and photographer Karl Lagerfeld. As the head creative director of the fashion house Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld took inspiration for Chanel’s 2018 Cruise collection from Greek antiquity. At the Grand Palais in Paris, a fantastic reconstruction of Greek ruins was the perfect stage for the collection’s launch. Tweed, jersey, silk, linen, lace and crepe are interpreted using the Chanel codes but with a modern twist given by Lagerfeld’s genius. It’s a story of antiquity meeting modern fashion mythology. It’s easy to find in the collection references to what we commonly recognise as Greek antiquity – Olympic laurels that have been transformed into head ornaments, the traditional Greek sandal, and an interpretation of the Amphorae (typical Grecian ancient vases) that become small or large pleated backpacks or part of curvaceous amphorae-like hip of the iconic Chanel jackets. The colours of the clothes recall Mediterranean culture, like suit dresses in Cycladic blue or black, or white, beige, terracotta and gold jumpsuits, coats and dresses. The silhouettes are clean and simple: A- line jackets and fluid trousers are a huge part of the collection. Exquisite and precious embroidery, a true mastery of Chanel’s craftsmanship, is used to embellish jackets and dresses. With this collection, Chanel rewrites the codes of antiquity and aesthetics. “Reality is of no interest to me. I use what I like. My Greece is an idea,” concludes Largerfeld.