CHANEL SS26: A New Era in the Maison’s Universe

The Grand Palais, the epicenter and eternal witness of the brand, once again became the stage where past, present, and future converged in perfect harmony. Like planets orbiting the same sun, the Grand Palais is the most faithful observer of CHANEL’s history: it has seen the Maison’s spirit born, transformed, and reborn time and again.

The planets, a metaphor for the CHANEL universe, reminded us that this cosmos knows no limits. Within it, Matthieu Blazy appeared as a new gravitational force: respectful of the Maison’s codes, yet determined to build a luminous future for the house.

After several months of anticipation, a question hung in the air of the fashion world:
How would Blazy adapt to the current times without betraying the essence of the Maison?

That doubt—existential, much like Hamlet’s “To be or not to be”—found its answer during the 15 minutes of the show. A time impossible to measure logically, because every minute became emotion, every look a heartbeat. There was no need for press releases or theoretical explanations: the answer unfolded before our eyes, from look 1 to look 77, culminating in a breathtaking finale.

From the very beginning, Blazy made his message clear: CHANEL’s DNA remains, yet reborn with a 360-degree twist. Silhouettes are modern, cuts precise, yet the sophistication and legacy of Gabrielle remain intact. In the opening looks, the details spoke for themselves: handcrafted earrings, intricate textures, meticulous craftsmanship. Everything shouted Matthieu Blazy, yet danced in harmony with the Maison.

As the show progressed, the narrative expanded: dresses crafted from CHANEL’s tradition, reinterpreted with unexpected cuts; wide, sculptural skirts with appliqués evoking exotic flowers in the middle of a desert; tweed with volume, crochet floral appliqués, necklaces and bags exuding an artisanal, rustic, and deeply human aesthetic. The layering of textures and materials was a manifesto: I am Blazy, yet in harmony with CHANEL.

Indeed, we witnessed avant-garde on the runway. But it was avant-garde that did not break the legacy, rather it allowed it to evolve.

That is why today was not just a fashion show: it was a celebration, a turning point, a historic day for fashion and art.