In the exquisite world of CHANEL, every detail is a masterpiece, and the iconic button is no exception. Gabrielle Chanel, the revolutionary mind behind the brand, regarded buttons as more than just fasteners; they were symbols of freedom, releasing women from the constraints of fashion. Virginie Viard, the current torchbearer of CHANEL’s legacy, takes this emblematic button on a journey into the enchanting realm of ballet and dance.
Viard envisions fashion as a harmonious fusion of arts—music, theatre, painting—crafted into physical poetry. The Spring-Summer 2024 Haute Couture collection pays homage to the grandeur of dance, celebrating its power, finesse, and triumphant body language.
“I often think about dance; it’s an important theme at Chanel,” says Viard.
The collection is an ethereal landscape of transparent skirts, long dresses, jumpsuits, and capes adorned with intricate details like tulle, ruffles, pleats, and lace.
The designs, draped over white ballet leotards and tights, blur gender lines, creating a feminine allure inspired by the strength and beauty of the body. A century after Gabrielle Chanel’s ballet designs, the collection, dominated by pink and white aquarelle, draws vibrant hues from the Ballets Russes of Léon Bakst and Sergei Diaghilev.
In a remarkable collaboration, Kendrick Lamar, Dave Free, and Mike Carson designed a set that echoes the symbols of Haute Couture. The artistic crescendo of the show is “The Button,” a film written and directed by Dave Free, scored by Kendrick Lamar, featuring Anna Mouglalis, Naomi Campbell, and Margaret Qualley. Mouglalis, draped in tulle, opens the show, bringing the magic of dance to life.
Viard’s collection is not just a nod to tradition but a contemporary masterpiece. Down jackets in tulle, hoods, and heels inject a modern allure.
“Dance evokes stories and emotions close to my heart,” concludes Viard, cementing CHANEL’s timeless connection to the art form.
In this dance of fabric and grace, CHANEL’s Spring-Summer 2024 Haute Couture collection is a mesmerizing ode to freedom and self-expression.
Take a look at highlights from the show below.
