Chanel Couture Spring 2013 Gallery & Review
In which Karl Lagerfeld builds a fake forest inside the Grand Palais and sends gay brides down the runway.
Chanel's couture show was a humble and understated affair. LOL JKS! It was a case of The Sims meets real life, as a wildly imaginative Karl Lagerfeld actually played god, constructing a replica forest inside Paris' Grand Palais complete with singing birds and a runway which resembled a hidden path. Because, Chanel couture.
The clothes themselves were approached with a similar sense of whimsy and romanticism, featuring a fuckload of feathers, soft colours, muted metallics, tulle and Victorian lace. There was also a strong floral theme — bright bloom prints, 3D flower appliqués, and sequined floral dresses that you could imagine being worn equally by Grimes on stage and Diane Kruger on the red carpet, both whom sat front row. The make-up had an almost Clockwork Orange quality to it; exaggerated eyelashes made of lace were created especially for the show (no word yet on whether these will be available for retail).
While the show was fantastical, it was also rooted in reality. Two female brides (Kati Nescher and Ashleigh Good) closed the show hand-in-hand with a ring bearer in tow, and one can't help but read this as being Chanel's way of celebrating the French government's recent decision to legalise same-sex marriage.
Oyster girls Julia Nobis (shot by Rene Vaile for #88) and Lindsey Wixson (our #95 cover star) also walked the runway.
Ingrid Kesa
