How did you feel about shooting the campaign in Hangzhou?
Every collaboration with Chanel is like a wonderful journey full of surprises, and each time it brings me a unique emotional experience. This time shooting in Hangzhou has deepened this feeling, as if I have started a dream journey across time and space with Chanel. Strolling through the amazing natural scenery of Hangzhou, each shooting location exudes the unique charm of this city. In these scenes, I seem to have walked into the spiritual world of Ms. Gabrielle Chanel. The real landscapes and gardens remind me of the oriental artistic conception depicted by her favorite ebony lacquer screen. The pictures on the screen are presented to me in the most vivid and real way.
Share with us your experience of opening [and closing the finale] this season's show.
It is a great honor and joy to be able to participate in the Chanel Haute Couture collection show in Hangzhou as an opening act. Everything seems to have happened yesterday, and every moment is still vivid in my mind. It was getting dark, the sound of drums echoed in the air, and the lights slowly lit up the runway. At that moment, the oriental scenery on the ebony lacquer screen cherished by Ms. Gabrielle Chanel seemed to have transcended time and space, perfectly overlapping with the beautiful scenery of West Lake in front of me. The moment I stepped onto the runway, I felt like I was stepping from the ancient screen picture into the real beauty of West Lake step by step. I was wearing a black tweed coat decorated with sequins, which sparkled under the interweaving of lights and lake water, creating a charming and dreamy visual effect. Every step was like stepping on the sparkling lake, immersing me in the charming world of Ms. Gabrielle Chanel.
How do you understand this Pre-Fall collection?
Each element of this series highlights the brand's unique charm and cultural heritage. The ebony lacquer screen that Ms. Gabrielle Chanel's favorite is an important source of inspiration for the series, inspiring the infinite creativity of the boutique department's creative studio. The series of works are not only gorgeous in design, but also practical. Clothes, boots and handbags are not only visually beautiful, but also very functional and suitable for daily wear. This design concept that perfectly combines fashion and practicality is in line with the pursuit of multifunctional style by the young generation who pursues a diversified sense of fashion - both beauty and practicality.
What is your impression of Hangzhou?
Hangzhou is a city with both historical heritage and unique charm. It has both the imprints of an ancient city and the vitality of a modern city. I have visited this beautiful historical city many times before for work, and every visit makes me appreciate the city more. I like to stroll along the West Lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Leifeng Sunset. This time, I was able to come to Hangzhou again with the Chanel Haute Couture series launch, which is a new and very special experience for me. The poetic atmosphere of Hangzhou and the elegance of Chanel are cleverly integrated. The tranquility of the East and the romance of the West complement each other, creating a wonderful spark, adding a fashionable color to the city and leaving me with a unique and unforgettable memory.
Share with us the shooting process of the advertising campaign.
In the hazy drizzle of Hangzhou in winter, the West Lake turns into an elegant ink painting, with mist and rain, creating a rich poetic atmosphere. Unlike the bustle of summer, the West Lake in winter is quiet and peaceful. In fact, no matter what season or weather, the West Lake has a unique charm. The temperature was actually very low on the day of the shooting of the advertising film, but the atmosphere on the scene was particularly warm and full of vitality. When I put on the clothes and stood in this picturesque scenery, it was as if I walked into a picture in the ebony lacquer screen cherished by Ms. Gabrielle Chanel, which was a bit surreal. The smooth lines of the handicraft series are perfectly matched with the natural beauty of the lake. The design conveys elegance and restraint without losing the sense of power, which contrasts with the soft and flowing lake and mountain scenery but is harmoniously unified. In the atmosphere of the lake, every frame becomes a visual enjoyment of the perfect fusion of fashion and nature.
Jonathan Anderson - Designer, Creative Director of JW Anderson & Christian Dior (6 Viewers)
