Virginie Viard’s latest Spring-Summer 2023 Haute Couture collection for Chanel takes inspiration from the animal iconography in Coco Chanel’s apartment at 31 rue Cambon. Instead of a more serious and literal take on the décor, though, Viard opted for a looser, more fun route—and as a result, Coco’s collection of lions, stags, and camels found their way across Viard’s designs.
As if on a village square, the stage is set for a show. Created by artist Xavier Veilhan, eleven monumental animals made of wood, cardboard and paper reveal models one-by-one, encompasses the details of the collection into a singular vision that converses with themes of youth and innocence.
There were corgi faces in sequin across tweed jackets and leaping bunnies embroidered on delicate sheer dresses, along with Chanel’s classic camellia crafted in layers of tulle, plus other fields of spring-ready florals dancing across maxi dresses and embellished into suit panels.
Top hat, bow tie, white gloves, laced boots, satin cape, pleated skirt, double-breasted jacket or with tails, tuxedo shirt, sequins, short shorts, petticoats: it is in the poetry of majorettes that Chanel Creative Director Virginie Viard draws the imagination of her Spring-Summer 2023 Haute Couture collection.