11 of Chanel's Most Memorable Runway Shows
Banal is a word impossible to associate with Karl Lagerfeld, who made his debut with Chanel over three decades ago. Now a cornerstone figure of couture fashion, Lagerfeld proved his worth as the king of transforming traditional runways to otherworldly realities to showcase his designs. With his trademark ponytail and his monochromatic uniform, he constantly moves Chanel's collections into statements taken from his own visions and inspirations.
Let’s take a look at some of the most over-the-top and memorable Chanel runway shows he's staged through the years:
1. Fall/Winter 2008
The saying “what goes around comes around” was demonstrated through an eye-catching Chanel carousel in 2008. Replacing horses, the merry-go-round featured giant quilted Chanel bags, countless ropes of pearls, and bottles of Chanel No. 5. The set’s nostalgic feel provided a contrast to the collection which displayed mostly monochrome and sleek pieces.
2. Chanel couture, Spring 2009
At the time of recession, Karl took a blank paper as inspiration, as he featured a purely white, high fashion Marie Antoinette-
3. Fall/Winter 2010
In 2010, guests were welcomed with a huge box on the Chanel runway, which later turned out to be a 28-foot, 265-ton iceberg. This was specifically brought over from Sweden and was carved by an international team of 35 sculptors over the course of six days. The iceberg was shown melting throughout the show and the models had to walk through the puddles it made. The ploy was a display of Lagerfeld's creative commentary on global warming.
4. Chanel Metiers D’Art 2011
The annual Métiers d’Art in 2011 transported the audience to an exotic Maharaja's palace. Inspired by 19th-century India, the set flaunted brilliant chandeliers, extravagant banquet tables, and gold-plated cutlery, alongside high tea served by waiters all throughout the show. The collection featured Chanel signatures and Indian motifs simultaneously, which resulted in a fusion of tweeds, pearls, handcrafted embellishments, and striking metallic.
5. Chanel couture, Fall 2011
Lagerfeld visually told the story of Coco Chanel's life through the pieces that went down the runway. The line consisted of tweed suits, which the fashion house first produced in 1924, and high boots, which Chanel was known to
6. Spring/Summer 2012
This time, Lagerfeld transformed the Grand Palais into a dazzling underwater dreamscape. In an all-white stage design, the clothes were pronounced as the models marched out among sea creatures with Florence Welch singing in the background. As a tribute to the potent symbol of Chanel, pearls were pinned into the pieces of the collection, as well as used as accessories of the models. The collection featured a relaxed feel and a pastel palette, mostly in the hues of peach and aqua.
7. Fall/Winter 2012
Crystals were the inspiration for 2012, as the set was decorated with massive glistening structures that figured to be mineral formations. In line with the theme, the models’ eyebrows were accentuated by strips of crystal by Lesage, a legendary couture embroidery house. The collection featured a deep color palette, highlighting the cubist structures of the pieces which went well with the subtle glimmers of crystals.
8. Fall/Winter 2013
It was all about the Chanel global fashion domination in 2013, as a massive spinning globe was set in the center of the Grand Palais. The globe, bearing the signature CC logo, was embellished with 300 illuminated flags indicating the brand’s locations around the world, proving the brand’s worldwide prowess. Comparable to having different countries, the collection was made up of various materials and textures—from wool and denim to sheer.
9. Fall/Winter 2014
Depicting the most luxurious supermarket ever, the Grand Palais was converted to grocery aisles filled with endless Chanel-branded food products, drinks, and even house necessities. Lagerfeld judiciously explained that the supermarket experience is something everyone goes through, even those who patronize the
10. Chanel Métiers d'Art 2015
Set at the legendary Cinecittà film studios in Rome, the Métiers d'Art 2015 allowed Lagerfeld to seemingly direct a cinematic black-and-white film. The setting was a recreated Parisian square, complete with made-up boutiques, restaurants, and cafés, where the guests were allowed to roam around
11. Fall/Winter 2017
Lagerfeld proved yet again that he thinks in the future with a galaxy-inspired theme in the Fall/Winter 2017 collection. The show featured celestial prints, luminescent silvers, and shiny metallic. This time, Lagerfeld literally went above and beyond everyone, launching an actual rocket ship branded with the signature interlocking CC logo to conclude the show.
