Chanel S/S 2026 Paris

[Avonlea]

It's not a disaster, but calling this a debut of the century or great is a huge stretch. It's alright at best and mostly forgettable. A lot of the looks if presented under Viard's name would have been (rightfully) roasted by the people here. I feel like many like the idea of it being done by someone else than Virginie or the team much more than the actual collection. Same with Dior by JWA.
His Bottega was much more polished and it was never frumpy, which is the case here. It will probably get better or at least I hope so.

 

[AFWQ]

Anyone stepping into Karl’s shoes knew it wouldn’t be easy — and that criticism would likely come with the territory. He wasn’t just a designer; he became a persona, an icon, a revolutionary force in fashion.
I believe many of today’s designers could still surprise us — if they were truly given space to be creative, to think freely, and to build without constraint.

 

[tourbillions]

Maybe I am blind but I don't see the current crop of Chanel clients paying Chanel's prices for these. They were/are paying for either logo-mania or something a bit more precious. I just don't feel much luxury or richness in the collection. It could have been an amazing bottega or fendi collection, but Chanel not sure. I don't know who he is targetting and if they have the money for this. The accesories.. were not good. A lot felt like things you'd see in that random accesory section in the department store.

 

[BalkaniStaCouture]

Okay, you know that I don’t like Haider (that you tfs members are obsessed with) nor Karl but I must say my God BRAVO MATTHIEU! 🎉🎉🎉 He managed to deliver something spectacular! Set was amazing, new worlds for new Chanel, a new era. I hated old tweed Chanel for grandmas… here everything made sense, the bags were f**king great, I saw few big ones that look like The Row Marlo and I loved it bcs even men can wear it. I already love his vision and his direction.

And Awar… I predicted that Awar will open or close the show. This was full circle. His muse. “Naomi-Gianni Versace moment” at the end. It was very big moment for her career too. My God I was crying. ❤️🥹❤️

Welcome Matthieu to Chanel 🌺🌺🌺

Long Live The King of New Era (The Best Debut of the Season)

 

[hamburgers]

Dior 2012? Raf got fired for that mess.

This is the debut of the century.

I feel like there is this emotional truth about Raf getting fired from Dior that always comes around because people didn't like his era, but he surprised them by shooting down any contract renewal talks (because Calvin Klein secretly offered a fatter check and carte blanche) hence why succession was over a year long speculative mess instead of LVMH's usual clean transitions.

But the comparison is kind of not necessary because if that chain of events didn't happen Matthieu would most likely not have been here at Chanel anyway. A lot of his design POV for Bottega Veneta was seeded in NY while he was at CK.

 

[Kanzai]

Maybe I am blind but I don't see the current crop of Chanel clients paying Chanel's prices for these. They were/are paying for either logo-mania or something a bit more precious. I just don't feel much luxury or richness in the collection. It could have been an amazing bottega or fendi collection, but Chanel not sure. I don't know who he is targetting and if they have the money for this. The accesories.. were not good. A lot felt like things you'd see in that random accesory section in the department store.

It’s a spring summer collection! Karl’s SS collections (since late 90s) were usually very light heart and not really “glamorous” ykr? It’s a brand that you can see like 10 collections a year, so don’t worry. Metiers D’art upcoming in December.

 

[Lorenzogi]

This is truly sad to kook at. Jonathan Anderson’s Dior won.

 

[miyawaki]

Such a conflicting debut… I really dislike how he reused some tricks we've already seen at Bottega but I love his tailoring and the fresh vibe of it. I don't think it's completely Chanel yet, but he definitely has time to prove himself. Honestly, I just hope to be blown away! The set was gorgeous and the soundtrack? Absolutely iconic.

But, of course, not everything was perfect… WHERE ARE LULU AND VITTORIA? I mean, I recognize a few girls here and there but this casting is a total mess. How did he end up with only Loli, Alek, Anok, Mona, Lina, Felice, Luiza, Rebecca, Felice and (thank god!!!) Awar? I’m so glad Awar became his muse — she really lifted the whole mood with her smiles and energy.

 

[Gonzalo]

Lagerfeld didn' t like red but he did like to look ahead

 

[Alquimista]

Soundtrack was iconic. Talk about an idea that is stupid on paper but perfect in practice lol

The first few looks were good but I was waiting for the gown. I wanted to see if Blazy could do a proper gown. Them the red dress came in. Phew. Rich octogenarian women can sleep in peace! Chic is saved.

 

[j02215]

It’s tweed bottega.

For me, I think what Matthieu failed to realize here, is that of all the houses, Chanel is truly a club.

For better or worse, it is one with a proud dress code, etiquette, and tradition. These ladies, their daughters, and the wannabes have supported Chanel for decades and this seems a bit of too egotistical of a debut. I do wonder how much time he has spent with the core clients and really think about their social lives instead of his own artistic wishes. I don’t honestly see the ladies who lunch in UES being receptive of this.

 

[VogueDisciple93]

I never understood the fanfare around him and this collection did not help. It is juvenile and fraught with gimmicks and lack of vision. It’s like children raided a tacky musical’s costume and prop closets.

Most looks were just missing a big red nose.

 

[psychopsist]

Much has been said, but yeah I agree I don’t see much Virginie here… nothing is ugly or giving her shows weird baby clothes meets grandmas wardrobe type of styling…(maybe that top in look 4 and the pile of laundry in 68)

the majority of it i think is elegant, and a lot of it is on the simple side. Looks 51,53,and 58, 64 with those bulky top halves are the only ones id say feel heavy

i looooove 54/55 and 71/72 as takes on the classic chanel tweed suit, love the slightly flamenco feel of the scarlet skirt in 67,

too much more to name it all, but i think it was a good debut, very little was unpleasant to me, and a lot i found quite charming and refreshing. i wouldve clapped too.

 

[Delleone]

B R A V O !
Matthieu blasé and his rather chilled out Deauville demoiselles.
Rather enjoyed that!

Top marks: Looks 44 and 45. Rather attractive broken down tweed suits. Quite dégagé and all the more modern for it. Chanel with the stuffiness removed. More of these please!

(The girl with the shoe has to be the moment of fashion month. Poor dearie!)

 

[carla56]

it was huge! it was mesmerizing! I was scared that he would have toned down the set and made it minimal, instead we had this breathtaking galaxy. the music was genius: Dawson's creek, Rhythm is a dancer, is so trash that it becomes iconic! The clothes were cool, felt luxurious, he really knows how to work with fabrics and make them precious. He is incredible with "moving skirts", from his first collection at bottega with those leather fringes, to those here. love love love. it's funny that the first three looks and especially the one on Loli looked directly from Gucci ANcora! First time in my life I like Chanel

 

[Marc10]

Wonderful debut, bravo Matthieu!

It’s such a well thought out and well executed collection. He covered all the necessary ground, had the nods from Coco to Karl, but at the same time expanded the Chanel vocabulary. It felt more fresh and also more elevated. It has a strong fashion proposition, something the house desperately needed to regain. I loved how he approached the classic Chanel suit: playing with the silhouette, with colors and textures. It’s the same how he approached leather at Bottega. It hasn’t looked that interesting and desirable in years. Loved all the drop waist 20s inspired looks too, very chic. Can’t wait for the details pics.

And the set! Incredible. That moment with Awar in the finale was so adorable and heartwarming.

Now I’m already excited for Couture!

 

[MModa]

I find it a Spectacular start with beautiful looks throughout the presentation. Maybe a few looks were too heavy for spring? However, I think the brand is heading in an exciting new direction.

 

[Caffeine]

Maybe I am blind but I don't see the current crop of Chanel clients paying Chanel's prices for these. They were/are paying for either logo-mania or something a bit more precious. I just don't feel much luxury or richness in the collection. It could have been an amazing bottega or fendi collection, but Chanel not sure. I don't know who he is targetting and if they have the money for this. The accesories.. were not good. A lot felt like things you'd see in that random accesory section in the department store.

The "current" Chanel customers are different from Chanel customers 5,6 years ago.
I would say that the in-store products were really diluted around 3 years ago or so...
So the people who are allergic to logos are clearly coming back.

 

[QuantumCouture]

Mixed bag; promising but uneven. I liked the cropped jackets with clean geometry, the black and white separates, some of the tweeds. Some distressed finishes, feathers, sagging belts and decorative embroidery were a bit too much. Accessories were mostly good, except for the giant earrings and a few plushy totes. This collection could have been much better with tighter editing and styling discipline. But Chanel is a tough cookie; Blazy has time and resources to develop his vision. More confidence, less reverence, more point of view, and he will succeed.

 

[Mr-Dale]

It’s a super solid debut, I can’t believe some of the negativity I’m reading here. It felt like a departure from the Karl years (finally) while honoring his effect on the Chanel legacy at the same time, landing it where the brand needs to be: at the forefront of modernity. And it’s all so light, really wonderful. I love the deconstruction of the tweed jackets and the tweed in general…so effortless and chic. Gorgeous silk charmeuse. The shirting was great as well. Lots to unpack, I’m excited for this!