Lily Allen burst through a trapdoor onto the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week, singing her hit 'Not Fair' as models paraded around a reconstruction of Marie Antoinette's play farm. The Chanel show, held at the Grand Palais, aimed to shed the brand's fusty tweed-and-pearls image, with designer Karl Lagerfeld embracing entertainment as much as product.
The theatrical event included a finale with three models faux-romping in a bale of hay, drawing comparisons to 'Strictly Come Dancing' rather than traditional Chanel parades. However, the show was not Lagerfeld's finest, with critics describing it as more 'Carry On Up the Farm' than Avenue Montaigne chic.
The bucolic theme worked well in gold wheatsheaf hairclips and raffia-edged quilted bags, but oatmeal dirndl skirts and waistcoats appeared lumpy even on leggy models. Simpler pieces, like a sheer black knit dress and silk cocktail dresses with poppy prints, reminded audiences of Lagerfeld's talent.
The rustic trend may be key for next summer, with Stefano Pilati at Yves Saint Laurent also referencing haute-peasant looks. Clogs, dominant at both Chanel and Celine, could make a comeback. Allen, in gold and black Chanel sequins, proved the brand suits more than twiglet-shaped models, contrasting with the costumey milkmaid outfits on unconvinced models.
