Last week, Chanel unveiled its Cruise 2024 collection in Marseille, an idyllic port city in the South of France. More than a show venue, it also served as inspiration. “I was inspired by the codes of lifestyle, of everyday life and by all the things that invite movement. The sea and the wind made me want to play with wetsuits,” explained Virginie Viard, Artistic Director of Fashion Collections at Chanel, in a press release.
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Beyond her love for the picturesque coastal city, creative director Virginie Viard further expressed her rationale for picking the show's location—the Centre d’art de la Cité, an iconic residential building designed by famed architect Le Corbusier in 1949. “Marseille is a city that puts me in touch with my emotions. I tried to capture its power of attraction, its breath of fresh air, and to convey the energy that reigns there. And you couldn't ask for a better backdrop to a runway show than the Cité Radieuse," she added.
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More About the Collection
Though the designs largely revolved around the Maison's iconic tweed fabrics and intricate embroidery, other nature-inspired elements underline this collection. For instance, iridescent water ripples and playful motifs of aquatic life.
Made with lightweight fabrics like cotton and chiffon, this summer-loving collection featuring non-figure hugging silhouettes facilitates ease of movement. From beachside relaxation to intimate soirées, these creations lend themselves perfectly to layering and were designed for all sorts of summer activities.
Beyond its more formal counterparts of suit jackets, faille blouses and floral-embroidered dresses, swimwear also formed a significant part of the collection. Available in neutral shades of white, navy and black, some of the swimsuits sported whimsical bows attached to the front zipper while others featured skin-baring cut-outs.
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Photos courtesy of Chanel.