SOPHY DAVIS-RUSSELL

From the beginning of my fashion obsession Chanel has remained one of my favourite brands due to the constant elegance and craftsmanship shown through each season and within each collection. The Spring Summer 2016 haute couture collection that Lagerfeld has created continues Chanel's great legacy of excellence, and has incorporated the happenings in this world at the moment perfectly. The Chanel brand has always epitomised luxury from when it was started by the woman herself, and Lagerfeld doesn't sway from this with this collection. However he also incorporates luxury with a bit more of an environmentalist approach.

 

As Lagerfeld rightly states, 'Fashion is part of the events of our time,' therefore designers should cleverly encapsulate the different sociological issues of their era. The fashion mastermind leading this brand certainly does with this collection. Mindfulness is now coming to the forefront of society, as a lot of people become more aware of the importance of what is going on around them and how powerful giving a little more thought can be. The Chanel fashion house were certainly mindful when creating each piece, and the fashion show that presents them, as an eco-warrior ethos is apparent.

 

Forever garments have been created in this collection that can be cerished forever, a far cry from throw-away fashions that hold less meaning and are worse for our planet. The environment is an aspect of life that is continually forgotten but should be remembered more as it’s what keeps us all alive. Chanel reminds us of its importance. Lagerfeld orchestrated each tiny detail of the show, while thinking carefully, to encapsulate this environmentally friendly ethos. Set in the Grand Palais, the models walked within an eco-system, with the backdrop of a perfect lawn, lily ponds and trees.

 

        A sense of a united world is represented in the shapes of the pieces as each are a homage to classic silhouettes from across the globe - such as organza capes reminding us of the Middle East, drapes like those of Grecian Goddesses and the classic box-shaped jacket traditionally created in France. The opulence of couture is seen in each piece that walks the runway, with the prominent colours being gold, black and white. The detail within each piece is breath taking, with no stitch out of place, right down to the delicate lace trims and embellished details.

 

My love of fashion began when I realised how perfectly it can show the thread of life and how important messages can be shown through garments and collections. Catwalk shows are created to tell a story and it's amazing how something that on the face of it seems so simple can hold many different meanings. The side of fashion that has a substance is my favourite kind and that is why I felt the need to mention this collection. Lagerfeld has cleverly incorporated a lot of things that should be important to our nation within one season. Madame Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel would certainly be proud.