SimplyAbuDhabi XXXIII

CHAnEL in a snowy Paris, the new romantic dream by Chanel came to life. Thanks to the magic aura of Haute Couture, inside the Grand Palais one could perceive the warm air of the sunny summer days on the French riviera. A splendid Mediterranean garden was recreated with a large house and swimming pool, all surrounded by a joyful riot of colourful flowers and flowering trees. once again, Karl Lagerfeld, who unfortunately was absent from the fashion show, was able to subdue the typical features of the Maison Chanel, such as tweed, the feminine tailleur, and introduce the richness of handmade flowers and feathers in a mixture of 18th-century frivolity with a modern touch for this Haute Couture Spring Summer Collection 2019. Leitmotiv of the entire collection were the flowers, the precious treasure chest of the famous French artisans’ savoir faire: embroidered, painted, crafted in lace, resin and even in ceramic, flowers adorned the entire collection, from the hyper feminine dresses, up to hair jewels. Thanks to the massive presence of flowers made by the craftsmen, the show was a cascade of colour: from the more classical pastel tones, to black and white contrasts, to sky blue, iridescent gold and silver, prairie green and energetic pink. The strappy pumps, revisiting an 18th-century shoe, were the main accessory of this collection, worn underneath the voluminous and corolla shape dresses, together with the more sensual lingerie dresses and the tubular skirts and trousers. The jackets are lengthened like tunics, while others had no collar but a folded lapel, geometric or asymmetric, and a double row of buttons. Some, belted high, are extended from a peplum or, conversely, shortened like spencer jackets or aged leather jackets, occasionally adorned with feathers. but the touch of genius was unveiled in the finale, when a non- conventional wedding dress entered the scene: an embroidered bathing suit, covered with crystals, revealed itself beneath a silver sequined white veil, adorned with a swimming hat. did we witness the birth of a new bridal ideal? of course, Karl Lagerfeld played with conventions and the idea that the modern woman can live her dream of romantic love shine through, while not forgetting a touch of audacity and sensuality. Haute Couture Spring Summer 2019