PARIS FASHION WEEK: CHANEL SS19

For Spring/Summer 2019, Karl Lagerfeld transformed Paris’s Grand Palais into Chanel By The Sea, a sandy beach getaway complete with its own ocean, real waves flowing into che scene and on-duty lifeguard.

Models walked barefoot, carrying their shoes in hand as they walked the sand-filled runway.

Coco Chanel, the brand’s founder, had a longtime love affair with the beach.  She would holiday in the seaside resort of Deauville in the South of France, and the sea was a constant inspiration.

As for the collection, it was the kind of beachwear that would make you want to book a one-way ticket to Saint Barth and never come back.

There were oversized straw hats, vacation-ready swimsuits and Chanel logos in the form of belts, bathing suits and cardigans.

Talking about accessories, there were bags and sandals that will have us all counting down the days until next spring/summer.

An array of colorful logo sandals were carried down the runway in pinks, blues and a classic black and white logo flat that’s sure to take over amongst the fashion crowd next season.

Most interesting, however, was the fact that models carried not one, but two Chanel handbags at the same time. According to Karl, it’s all about two bag energy now.

Closing the show alongside Karl this season was his right-hand woman, Virginie Viard, Chanel’s studio director who has been by his side since joining the house in 1987.

Fashion month was hard and maybe what women really need was and on Tuesday morning at Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld gave it to them. It’s Lagerfeld’s ability to tap into the female psyche, this is so rare and at the same time vital.

Thank you Karl for chasing summer with us.