Chanel Ready-To-Wear Spring-Summer 2021
Chanel Ready-To-Wear Spring-Summer 2021
By: Elena Ossoski
Seeing Karl Lagerfeld’s - Chanel’s creative director for over thirty years up until his tragic passing on February 19, 2019 - interpretation melt with the vision of Chanel’s recently installed creative director, Virginie Viard, as well as the original mission enabled by Ms. Chanel herself is nothing short of awe-provoking.
Just like every other aspect of life right now, Paris Fashion Week was anything but normal, and I will be the first to say that I am not complaining since the show was still as fabulous as ever. Chanel’s Ready-to-Wear Collection for the upcoming 2021 season was showcased on October 6, 2020, at the Grand Palais in Paris, France.
A retro-chic, French slow-jam soundtrack introduced the glammed-up models to the crowd. As the show commenced, the women glided across a stark white floor from behind towering, Hollywood sign-inspired letters, spelling out “Chanel,” and standing as still as Grecian statues until the next beat drop.
Shades of baby pink, pale charcoal, cool silver, and midnight black appear over and over again in boyish yet bohemian silhouettes. Bermudas, jumpsuits, pleated trousers, and dresses with room to run and breathe juxtapose the classic Coco-Era tweed jackets and pencil skirts, paired with chic footwear that have little to no heel.
As the show progresses, a Frenchman's take on old Hollywood glamor collides with the trends that emerged from the roaring twenties as well as the peak of Madonna’s influence on fashion in the 1980s. Tops have been manipulated to resemble extenuated shoulders, girls strut around in boxy shifts, one shoulder party dresses with countless layered necklaces, and black netting is repeatedly utilized as a key hair accessory throughout the show.
Street art-inspired prints in neon colors walked next to chain belts, embellished with Karl’s classic double C logo, draped over Bermuda shorts, and topped off with a uniform grunge smokey eye sported by all of the models. As the show progresses, models can be seen sporting feather-ornamented tops and skirts in black and white, monochromatic hues next to sequined pantsuits consisting of palazzo trousers and wide, boxy-shouldered jackets. Each of these pieces made an appearance alongside the items that made Chanel the powerhouse that it is today, including the archetypal tweed suit set and, of course, the little black dress.
All in all, Chanel’s latest ready-to-wear collection embraces the perfect combination of styles that defined the 1920s and 1980s. To watch this paradigmatic runway show from beginning to end, check out this link.
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All photos are from chanel.com.