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Thursday 22 December 2011

Sari Chic at Chanel

Chanel hosted its annual Meiters D' Art Show which was held at Grand Palais which exploded with the scent of jasmine. Metal rafters held impressive crystal chandeliers. The scene was a banquet for guests with baskets overflowing with mangoes, pistachios nuts and roses lit by romantic subdued candle light with candle sticks held in glass candle holders.. It was an imaginary Indian fantasy where Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel honoured the Meiters D' Art Show. The mix of Chanel's traditional tweed with an eastern influence. It worked well and seemed like an obvious collection since Coco Chanel herself had taken influence from Indian dress from the late 1950's to early 1960's. The collection was inspired by Lady Cruzon who was the vice queen of India during the 1900's. Largefeld specifically wanted model Stella Tenant because she resembles Lady Cruzon.
The setting







An exotic banquet awaits for the guests of this Chanel show. An explosion of colour


Extravagant table settings include roses, mangoes and pistachio nuts
A silver Chanel custom made train chugs along the tables among the glass candle holders and piles of mangoes and rose petals



Models were styled with a smokey black eye and a simple middle parting and a non-fuss bun. Some models sported dishevelled dreadlocks but still seemed effortless.

Backstage at the Chanel show



The opulence of this collection was over whelming. The setting, the food, the catwalk. Materials came down the catwalk dripping with embroidery and embellishment. Glamour was added with stunning head jewellery encrusted with jewels and pearls. Most models wore soft white thigh high boots with a black toe. Metallics made an appearance for the duration of the show with gold and silver lame.The other fabrics were very chic and free flowing. Silk brocade, crepe, duchess satin with embroidery and hand painted Mughal floral motifs and gold braiding. Fitted white jodhpurs were paired with a white tweed jacket. Tunics studded with rhinestones or dripping in embellishment. Harem pants and saris paired with salwars.












Harem skirts were the feature of this collection in a variety of flowing fabrics. A brocade coat with a classic Nehru collar echos traditional Indian dress.

 



 White was the favoured colour with glints of golds, silvers, greys, pomegranate and "rani" pinks.






Karl Lagerfeld and Stella Tenant close the show

 The addition of flat sandals gives a youthful, free look to the whole collection yet still sophisticated and chic. The accessories alone could have had their own show! Models were clad with crystal encrusted box clutches, fingerless leather gloves and pyramid shaped evening bags. Mirrored clutches and snakeskin also seemed to be a prominent feature to the accessories of this collection. The jewellery was a mix of the traditional Chanel beads and pearls mixed with chains and ethnic influence still emblazoned with the Chanel logo.


Models wore heavily embellished hair jewellery pieces











The menswear collection wasn't half as vast or extravagant but manages to be subtly smart and sophisticated. The male models were styled with traditional Indian head wraps in onyx black.






This show was a salute to craftsmanship and glorifies the opulent way of dressing in India. With a mix of menswear and women's wear with a balance of androgyny and femininity. This enchanting collection manages to get the balance of east and west influence in to a collection of extravagance and luxury.


"It sounds terrible to say this, but India is one country where even the poor have something very chic about them"
Karl Lagerfeld

Watch the show HERE at the Chanel site.

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