Chanel's SS23 Paris Couture Week Show Brings Woodland Simplicity to the Runway

Chanel's dreamy Spring/Summer 2023 show at Paris Couture Week began with reference to Gabrielle Chanel's apartment at 31, rue Cambon.

As the starting point for the collection, the now-iconic location is where Creative Director Virginie Viard took French artist Xavier Veilhan at the very beginning of their work together, which now continues for another season. "For his third participation, I asked him to reinterpret the apartment's bestiary and incorporate his own. The whole embroidery universe of the collection is turned towards the animal world," Viard explains in the show notes.

The location, surrounded by sculptures, drawings and objects which represent lions, stags, birds and camels, forms the basis for SS23, which later ends up embroidered on the House's signature silhouettes like tweed suits and coat dresses. In keeping with the woodland animals concept, the show's set design featured eleven animals made of wood, cardboard and paper, created by Veilhan, which opened to reveal the models and allow them to "escape."

Reimagining the traditional suit, this season saw colorful tweed ensembles complete with elements of parade uniforms, finishing looks with traditional details like top hats, bow ties, white gloves and satin capes. Elsewhere, the collection offers flouncy dresses and strappy jumpsuits, developed with delicate materials like Chantilly lace, Georgette crepe and silk tulle.

The final look of the "fairy parade" arrives in the form of a white bridal dress, complete with embroidered swallows, a tulle veil and a white bow tie, paired with gold and black boots.

Check out Chanel's Spring-Summer 2023 Haute Couture collection in full above.

While you're here, feast your eyes upon Burberry's Valentine's Day campaign.