Chanel Cruise 2022 Goes Punk

Written by Noura Al-Swaiti

Chanel visualized its own revelation of how the future will look like post-COVID, in hopes to surface from the pandemic showing off a new style.

The collection was inspired by a 1962 movie titled The Testament of Orpheus by filmmaker Jean Cocteau, one of Coco Chanel’s close friends who also happens to have sketched some portraits of her. The show itself took place in Provence in the south of France. It was set precisely inside where the movie was filmed. 

Chanel’s creative director Virginie Viard, used a mix of 1960s Mod and late 90s Punk references, think lip piercing jewelry, crochet capes a la Stevie Nicks style, t-shirts bearing the face of current French muse and model Lola Nicon, dressed and made up like a rock star, worn with tweed skirt suits and paired with covetable pointy silver Mary-Janes.

It felt as if the collection was having an identity crisis, trying to balance the brand’s signature aesthetics with a grunge-inspired design references. Something the younger fan-base of the brand might appreciate. However, the flowy breezy caftans, white dresses, matching printed sets, interlocked Cs, and quilted and chained handbags, will definitely appeal to clients in our region of all ages. As for the collection’s statement piece, a delicate dress traced with dove-shaped lace scattered with metallic charms, inspired by the illustrations of Jean Cocteau.

Styling was on point with fishnet stockings, collar necklaces & chokers, leather fringing, and white ankle boots, nevertheless, I doubt that it would translate seamlessly from runway to real-way.

With that being said, one must wonder, is Chanel struggling to give its signature tweedy aesthetic a youthful spin? Was the offering enticing enough for Gen-Zs or are they over the Kristen Stewart

punk vibes? And if we’re being honest, punking out our looks does not sound like the perfect post-pandemic plan.