'Flood chic' and 'double-bagging': Karl Lagerfeld makes waterproofing look desirable at Chanel

Has Karl Lagerfeld been taking note of Brigitte Macron’s weapon of choice? The abbreviated skirt lengths at Chanel seemed to be directly aimed at France’s First lady who has notably favoured Louis Vuitton mini skirts and dresses for many of her public outings.

Lagerfeld has always been an astute observer of social moods while also not caring a hoot about about political correctness.  Against the impressive (and expensive) rocky escarpment and water falls that had been temporarily installed in the Grand Palais, his models paraded a succession of flood-chic. Clear plastic trenches, coats, thigh-high-boots, gloves, bags, boaters and jewellery… only their underwear had not been water-proofed.  Or so one may assume.

There was a lot of water . Perhaps this was all a metaphor for the abundant liquidity of the Chanel house, which will doubtless receive a boost when those transparent patent-toed waders become cult items. Or perhaps the cascading water was an allusion to the gallons of Chanel scent that make this one of the most successful luxury houses in the world – according to The Perfume Shop, Chanel No 5 has topped the list of most popular scents in the UK for the past 25 years. At any rate all that H20 irrigated Lagerfeld’s imagination: shimmering 1930s style cocktail dresses in apricot  or ivory, iridescent tweeds , semi sheer woven basket skirts and a blue ripple-effect print on chiffon gowns contributed to the impression of a theme that had been comprehensively explored.

The jumpsuit, now a given in most collections, made its mark here in ecru tweed.  Blue eyeshadow, often considered a beauty faux pas, was a major statement (Madame Macron is a fearless champion of the dark lid) and bangles and bracelets were worn over the top of clear gauntlets.

And double bagging was de rigeur - usually a small quilted shoulder bag and a matching tote, both featuring a new Chanel print  with appliquéd Chanel letters on it. You will have surmised that double bagging  chez Chanel does not mean quite the same thing as when you use two plastic carriers in Asda to avoid splitting.  

Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018: See what the front row are wearing